Hundreds celebrate Japanese culture and the beginning of spring
Tamagawa University dancers move their feet to the rhythm of Taiko drums during the annual Sakura Sunday festival at Fairmount Park's Horticulture Center, Sunday, April 17, 2016.
Dave Angilella/for PhillyVoice
by Dave Angilella PhillyVoice Contributor
Philadelphians came together Sunday to celebrate Japanese culture at Fairmount Park's Horticulture Center. Sakura Sunday is the main event of the weeklong "Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia," which marks the return of spring and honors the deep-rooted tradition of the Japanese government donating cherry trees to Philadelphia in honor of the Sesquicentennial of American Independence in 1926.
Cherry blossoms and thousands of feet covered the grounds, as people, many dressed in cosplay, came from all over to enjoy the day of cultural coalescence. Festivities included traditional and non-traditional performances, tree planting, food and a competition for the "prettiest pet in pink."
Dave Angilella/for PhillyVoiceA large crowd enjoys the performances on the main stage during the Sakura Sunday festival.
Dave Angilella/for PhillyVoiceSarah Rocco dressed her best for the Sakura Sunday festival in Fairmount Park. Rocco, along with some friends, is part of a Japanese fashion club.
Dave Angilella/for PhillyVoiceThis Shiba Inu was looking to win the Prettiest Pet in Pink contest with her pink kimono.
Dave Angilella/for PhillyVoiceSpectators take turns posing with a group of Furries dressed in cosplay.
Dave Angilella/for PhillyVoiceSpring has returned and the blossoming cherry trees are celebrated on Sakura Sunday. Here, a flowering dogwood tree is seen in the midday sun.
Dave Angilella/for PhillyVoiceTamagawa University performers put on a show with Taiko drums and dance.
Dave Angilella/for PhillyVoiceFairmount Park's Horticulture Center was packed with people coming from near and far on Sakura Sunday.
Dave Angilella/for PhillyVoiceThese two couldn't stop smiling as they posed in their cosplay costumes.
Dave Angilella/for PhillyVoiceLee Pierce, center, dressed as a cosplay character he created when he was 10. Pierce has been coming to the festival for seven years. 'We came to enjoy one of the few Japanese cultural festivals Philadelphia has to offer.'