Never mind that the official cherry blossom season came and went in the spring; or that the branches of Denver’s cherry blossom trees were stripped bare in one of those wretched frosts that swoops in just when crocuses think its safe to face daylight.
All that really matters is that Denver’s Sakura Matsuri, the city’s 34th annual Cherry Blossom Festival, will be held Saturday and Sunday. Unlike the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., this year’s festival coincides with Father’s Day, a great time to lock dad in a big bear hug and carry him away to Sakura Square for the two-day event.
“People often ask us why the festival is held at a different time each year, and they laugh when I tell them we have to wait until the Rockies’ schedule has been set,” says Joni Sakaguchi. We can’t have it on a day when the team is in town because Lawrence Street has to be kept open.”
Sakaguchi and Noreen Okubo are co-chairmen of this year’s festival.
Instead of baseball traffic, Lawrence Street will be closed on Saturday and Sunday for two-day array of traditional foods, including sushi, teriyaki chicken and tofu noodle bowls, Japanese beer and desserts.
Sakaguchi, a member of the Denver Buddhist temple, one of the festival sponsors, says over the years the numbers have grown, necessitating a larger group of helpers who staff an event that attracts tens of thousands of visitors.
“We couldn’t have this festival if it weren’t for the temple volunteers who help with so many details,” she says. “The number needed varies from 300 to 600 for setting up, food preparation, booth staffing and cleanup.”
Since this year’s festival coincides with Father’s Day, Aurora resident Doug Stewart and his 16-year-old twin sons, Colin and Brendan, will be grilling together.
Doug Stewart has been a member of the Denver Buddhist Temple for 12 years, and for eight of those years he has prepared food for the festival.
“I would have preferred not to have had it on Father’s Day, but it’s a kind of fun thing to do together,” Doug Stewart says. “We go through about 3,500 pounds of chicken in two days, so it’s a good way for the family to celebrate together.”
Stewart says the popularity of the teriyaki chicken rests in a secret recipe kept under wraps by women who brought it with them from Japan.
“For years I begged for the recipe and they wouldn’t give it to me,” he says. “I guess over time they decided they could trust me with it. All I can tell you is that the secret is the marinade.”
The festival, a celebration of Japanese-American culture, includes food, bonsai (miniature tree) demonstrations; shodo (calligraphy), ikebana (flower arrangement), and chanoyu (the tea ceremony).
There also will be taiko drumming, lectures on Buddhism and a variety of vendors selling Asian-oriented arts and crafts.
From 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday visitors are invited to participate in the Obon festival – Japanese folk dancing that commemorates the memory of ancestors.
There is ample street and garage parking near the square. For more information, go to tsdbt.org/cherryblossom.html.
Staff writer Ellen Sweets can be reached at 303-820-1284 or esweets@denverpost.com.
Cherries, dragons and ice
Where to be cool in the metro area:
The 34th annual Cherry Blossom Festival: This Saturday and Sunday in downtown Denver, on Lawrence Street between 19th and 20th streets.
Dragon Boat Festival: Thanks to its Pan-Asian theme, Denver’s annual festival usually has a booth selling shave ice (in past years it has been supplied by the Pi’ilani Hawaiian Civic Club of Colorado). This year’s festival takes place July 29-30. For info, visit coloradodragonboat.org.
Sunshine Shave Ice stand: On the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder. This stand is, to co-owner Tasha Pedersen’s knowledge, the only true shave ice available (outside of festivals) in the metro area. “We know people who drive up from Colorado Springs to have shave ice,” she says. Try the Tiger’s Blood flavor, a combo of coconut, strawberry and passion fruit. The red wooden cart is usually parked at 12th and Pearl.
Buyer beware: Many stands that advertise “Hawaiian Shave Ice” (such as at Boulder’s recent Creek Festival) are really just snow cones. Ask before you order or take a look at other customers’ purchases. If it’s grainy, it isn’t shave ice.
-Michelle Asakawa
