A long overlooked section of Delaware Park is now one of the focal points of the park system. In recent years, the Japanese Garden has become a rallying cry for the community. As a result, the Cherry Blossom Festival was created as a way to celebrate the garden’s crowning achievements.
The festival is a way for the community to honor the park system, the cherry trees, Buffalo’s sister city Kanazawa (Japan), the rites of spring, local history, and the earth. Every year, hundreds of people gather together at the festival for a week of celebratory activities.
Saturday, April 30, 12 – 1pm
Festival Opening Ceremony and Traditional Tea Ceremony on the Portico of TBHM. Press conference to unveil the NEW Self-Guided Mobile Audio Tour of the Japanese Garden in Delaware Park, presented by Wegmans and powered by Tourwand.com.
Sunday, May 1, 12 – 4pm
Family Day at The Buffalo History Museum. Celebrate the festival inside the museum and outside in the Garden including puppet shows, music, origami, dancers, crafts for children, pink boat rides on Mirror Lake, food trucks.
Information and schedule www.buffalocherryblossomfestival.org
All Cherry Blossom Festival Activities in the Garden are free. *Entrance fees apply where noted. Festival is rain or shine, some activities are weather permitting
Saturday, May 7, 12 – 4pm
Music Day at the festival. Let our Musicians entertain, while you enjoy a stroll or a picnic in the Garden. Bring your own instrument and join a Cherry Jam Session. Participate in a pink parade to wrap up the 2016 festival. Pink boat rides on Mirror Lake, food trucks.
‘Cherry Blossom Challenge’ Orienteering* 11am – Navigate your way on a 2.5 km course that starts and ends at the Japanese Garden traversing Delaware Park. (www.buffalo-orienteering.org).
Monday, May 2, 4:30 – 6:30pm
Campus House Cherry Chill* at Buffalo State College. A taste of Japan at BSC’s Campus House with a Cherry Blossom Festival theme.
Monday, May 2 – Friday, May 6
Self-Guided Spring Walk in the Japanese Garden. Bring a picnic and enjoy a stroll through the cherry blossoms.
Wednesday, May 4, 6 – 7:30pm
President Millard Fillmore and the Opening of Japan, 1853-1855* at TBHM Auditorium. Buffalo Presidential Center Presentation featuring a public lecture by Dr. Thomas Burkman, former Director of Asian Studies from the University at Buffalo.
Thursday, May 5, 5:30 – 7:30pm
Sakura Cocktail Party* Enjoy an evening of live music from Buffalo Tango Orkestra, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails in the Great Hall and Portico overlooking the Cherry Trees. Tickets available on website.
Friday, May 6, 5 – 7pm Hoppy Hour at Marcy Casino – A First Friday
Party at the Marcy Casino with a Cherry Blossom Theme.
Saturday, May 7, 12 – 4pm
Music Day at the festival. Let our Musicians entertain, while you enjoy a stroll or a picnic in the Garden. Bring your own instrument and join a Cherry Jam Session. Participate in a pink parade to wrap up the 2016 festival. Pink boat rides on Mirror Lake, food trucks.
‘Cherry Blossom Challenge’ Orienteering* 11am – Navigate your way on a 2.5 km course that starts and ends at the Japanese Garden traversing Delaware Park. (www.buffalo-orienteering.org).
Bonus
North Park Theatre Japanese Film Festival*
Weekends at 11:30am 1428 Hertel Avenue
April 30 & May 1, ‘Shall We Dansu’a film by by Masayuki Suo
May 8, ‘Late Spring’ a film by Yasujiro Ozu