Pink cherry blossoms dazzled Salem Saturday against a clear blue sky. Hundreds of people flocked to the Oregon State Capitol to celebrate spring and Japanese culture for the annual Cherry Blossom Day.
The event featured crafts, music performances and opportunities to learn more about Kawagoe, Salem’s sister city in Japan.
An Oregon State Parks employee finishes hanging paper lanterns in the cherry trees before the state of Cherry Blossom Day at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Families stroll through the blooming cherry trees at Cherry Blossom Day held at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Family pictures were a popular activity during Cherry Blossom Day at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Caroline Tresidder stands near the “weather wishes” pinned up for visitors to take home as a souvenir from Cherry Blossom Day held at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Volunteers of the Capital Calligraphers Guild made the wishes. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
Monmouth Taiko thrills the crowd at Cherry Blossom Day held at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Monmouth Taiko with the Oregon Capitol in the background at Cherry Blossom Day on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Kiki Oden, 4, displays the fan she made at Cherry Blossom Day held at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Aaron McLaughlin gets up close with a koto at Cherry Blossom Day held at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Matt Haynes sits with his blooming cherry tree bonsai at the Willamette Bonsai Society booth at Cherry Blossom Day at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The crowd enjoying the Taiko performance during Cherry Blossom Day held at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A discerning young printer at the Gyotaku print booth at Cherry Blossom Day held at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Charlie, 7, shows off his finished Gyotaku print at Cherry Blossom Day held at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Representatives from the Japanese Consulate help Kairi, 6, to learn Japanese characters at Cherry Blossom Day held at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Harumi DeRosa fixes her obi before going on stage at Cherry Blossom Day held at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Monmouth Taiko performs for the crowd at Cherry Blossom Day held at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The traditional and new enjoy the day at Cherry Blossom Day held at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Alycia Helbling fans out her paper supply to assist visitors in learning how to fold origami at the Salem Origami Club booth at Cherry Blossom Day held at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Members of the Willamette Koto Club accompany Masumi Timson onstage at Cherry Blossom Day held at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A member of the Willamette Koto Club plays onstage at Cherry Blossom Day held at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)People enjoy the cherry trees in full bloom on Cherry Blossom Day held at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A model shows the Okinawa style kimono at Cherry Blossom Day held at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A model shows a kimono at Cherry Blossom Day held at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A model shows a kimono at Cherry Blossom Day held at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Children model distinctive styles of kimonos at Cherry Blossom Day held at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Children model distinctive styles of kimonos at Cherry Blossom Day held at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) A model shows a kimono at Cherry Blossom Day held at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) A model shows a kimono at Cherry Blossom Day held at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) A model shows a kimono at Cherry Blossom Day held at the Oregon Capitol Mall on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
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Laura Tesler has lived in Salem, Oregon for 20 years and is originally from Flint, MI. Laura has been an underwater photographer for 15 years, and is an avid scuba diver. Topside, she has been taking photographs since age 12, and currently works on assignment for the Salem Reporter, and full time purchasing land for fish and wildlife habitat in the Willamette Valley. Laura attended Oregon State University, and has traveled extensively all over the world and the United States.
