Hundreds gathered Saturday at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem for the annual Cherry Blossom Day celebration, despite a somewhat delayed arrival of the popular cherry blossoms this year.
Though the pink pedals were missing from the trees lining the Oregon State Capitol Park on Saturday, the festivities were plentiful. The family-friendly event included a performance from the Monmouth Taiko, a kimono dance and fashion show, martial arts demonstration, playing of the koto by acclaimed musician Masumi Timson, as well as various arts and crafts honoring Japanese culture.
Once the cherry blossoms finally make their arrival, Oregon Parks and Recreation will host a “Yozakura” for the second straight year. Beginning March 25, parks staff will illuminate the cherry blossoms from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with Japanese lanterns and lights. The public is invited to partake in Yozakura by bringing a blanket, camping chairs and a nighttime picnic to enjoy under the canopy of trees.
Related: When can you see cherry blossoms blooming in Portland?
Check out photos from Saturday’s celebration from The Oregonian/OregonLive photographer Sean Meagher (@seanspix on Instagram).
A cherry mascot poses for a photo during Cherry Blossom Day in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, March 18, 2023.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
Musician Masumi Timson shows how to play the koto, a traditionally Japanese stringed instrument, during Cherry Blossom Day in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, March 18, 2023.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
Paper notes hang from a string between two trees at Cherry Blossom Day in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, March 18, 2023.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
Children paint fishes on t-shirts during Cherry Blossom Day in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, March 18, 2023.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
Ink pads and thumb prints are used to fill out cherry blossom trees during Cherry Blossom Day in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, March 18, 2023.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
Cherry Blossom Day is celebrated on the grounds of the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, March 18, 2023.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
A kimono fashion show at Cherry Blossom Day in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, March 18, 2023.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
A martial arts demonstration is performed at Cherry Blossom Day in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, March 18, 2023.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
A martial arts demonstration is performed at Cherry Blossom Day in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, March 18, 2023.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
A martial arts demonstration is performed at Cherry Blossom Day in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, March 18, 2023.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
Face painting at Cherry Blossom Day in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, March 18, 2023.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
Paper notes hang from a string between two trees at Cherry Blossom Day in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, March 18, 2023.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
A kimono fashion show at Cherry Blossom Day in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, March 18, 2023.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
Cherry Blossom Day at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, March 18, 2023.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
Monmouth Taiko performs at Cherry Blossom Day in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, March 18, 2023.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
A kimono fashion show at Cherry Blossom Day in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, March 18, 2023.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
A Bon dance is performed at Cherry Blossom Day in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, March 18, 2023.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
Masumi Timson plays the koto, a traditionally Japanese stringed instrument, during Cherry Blossom Day in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, March 18, 2023.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
The koto, a traditionally Japanese stringed instrument, on display at Cherry Blossom Day in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, March 18, 2023.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
Masumi Timson plays the koto, a traditionally Japanese stringed instrument, during Cherry Blossom Day in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, March 18, 2023.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
A Bon dance is performed at Cherry Blossom Day in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, March 18, 2023.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
A kimono dance is performed at Cherry Blossom Day in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, March 18, 2023.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
A kimono dance is performed at Cherry Blossom Day in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, March 18, 2023.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
— Sean Meagher
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