Cherry Blossom Day returns to Salem Saturday, kicks off month of nighttime viewing

Salem residents may have noticed early signs of spring around downtown, including the blooming trees by City Hall and the State Capitol’s cherry trees.

This Saturday, the Capitol Mall will host a free public event celebrating the start of spring and Japanese culture.

Cherry Blossom Day will bring music, fashion and martial arts to State Capitol State Park Saturday as people gather to celebrate the blossoming cherry trees.

The day will include a lineup of performances celebrating Japanese culture, along with a proclamation from Salem Mayor Julie Hoy. The event, which will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., will also have booths and activities set up for people to enjoy.

The park is located north of the Capitol, between Northeast Center and Court streets.

Monmouth Taiko, a Japanese drumming group, will start the event with a performance of traditional and modern pieces.

The Monmouth-based group is recognized by the University of Oregon as an Oregon “culture keeper” because of their efforts to practice and share Japanese culture.

Other performances at the Saturday event include a martial arts demonstration, a kimono fashion show and traditional music performances.

The final event of the day will be a Bon Odori dance, a Japanese folk dance traditionally done at a summer festival to honor those who have died.

“Nowadays, Bon dance is one of the very popular summer festivals, and many people dance in summer kimonos or yukatas to enjoy a different atmosphere from their everyday lives,” Chieko Sato, coordinator of this year’s Bon Odori dance, said in an email.

Of the three Bon Odori dances at the event, people will be able to participate in two of them, according to Sato.

The event is organized by the Oregon State Capitol Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes civic engagement and events showcasing the Capitol.

The day’s schedule is available online.

From Saturday until March 31 , the cherry trees will be decorated with lights for free nighttime viewing. People will be able to walk through the park or bring blankets, chairs and picnics and enjoy the trees from 5-10 p.m.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story included an incorrect end date and time for the nighttime viewing. Salem Reporter apologizes for the error.

Contact reporter Madeleine Moore: [email protected].

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