As usual, Monterey Park held their Cherry Blossom Festival in late April. It’s always nice to get out of the house on a warm (*cough* HOT *cough*) sunny day after a long winter and enjoy the weather and lively crowds. In an attempt to tell kind-of-a cohesive story, these photos are a bit out of order.
Entering the field area, there were a great many vendor and exhibitor booths set up. This is typical of other local festivals, such as the Lunar Festival that Riverside had a few months back. The only difference is that Monterey Park usually uses its local park instead of shutting down local streets (though they actually do shut down streets for their Lunar Festival).
There was a food court and more vendor booths in the tennis court.
I’m not a fan of octopus, so I’ve never tried takoyaki. How is it?
Many different types of vendors in the Market Place. Time to accessorize!
There was a booth with all sorts of cute shirts, including this one!
Back out on the field, you could find this Domo by the swap meet area. It was made by a local artist. Nobody was actually in there… I think. ^^;
PMX hosts an anime swap meet during the CBF and this year I got to hang out in the cool shade of the booths since I was (kind of sort of) helping out with things due to Tomo Neko‘s presence there (as well as a couple of friends who also had booths). First dibs on hard-to-find and cheap anime goods? Yes, please! I love the anime swap meet! So many cool and hard to find things at bargain prices!
At the end of the day, of course PMX would be one of the last ones standing!
Ran into many photog friends during the festival. Either I’m starting to recognize/meet more folks, or Little Tokyo canceling/postponing their festival for the second year in a row has upped Monterey Park’s popularity. xD
Huge giant koi, same as last year! Wonder how much they’re worth? :3a
Inside the Exhibit Hall there were several displays and workshop areas, as well as the Indoor Demonstration Stage, which was where the dolldelight Lolita Fashion Show and PMX Anime Cosplay Contest were held.
Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement. There were workshops throughout the weekend, but I didn’t get a chance to participate. The results were quite lovely, though!
I believe this was the Nagauta performance. It’s a kind of traditional Japanese music that accompanies kabuki theater. The woman on the right is playing a shamisen, which is a lute with three strings.
Here are some wooden kimekomi dolls on display. I didn’t get a closer look b/c I was waiting for the cosplay contest to start! xD
I believe these are art prints for sale, most likely to support the Japanese American National Museum.
Awesome fun to be able to help out and to see a little bit of what goes on behind the scenes! See even more photos on my Facebook!
2012 04 21-22 Sat-Sun: Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival
Full Coverage of Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival 2012:
Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival 2012
dolldelight Fashion Show at MPk CBF
PMX Cosplay Contest at MPk CBF
Tomo Neko Maid Cafe at Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival
That Just Figures! 