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Celebrate spring with 6th annual Cherry Blossom Festival

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Mon, Apr 22nd 2019 12:00 pm

The Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival returns for its sixth year from May 1-5. The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, The Buffalo History Museum, Friends of the Japanese Garden, and Music Is Art partner to host a celebration of the spring season and cherry blossoms with activities for all ages.

“If you thought our ‘FLOmingos’ were pink last year, you need to come out for the colorful and exciting sixth annual Cherry Blossom Festival,” said Stephanie Crockatt, executive director of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. “The Buffalo History Museum and Friends of the Japanese Garden have been vital partners in growing this experience by sharing in education and culture. The festival directly benefits the care of the Japanese Garden in Delaware Park, which is an iconic visual feature Buffalo has come to treasure.”

“Our relationship to the beautiful Japanese Garden and the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is of great importance to the Museum,” Executive Director Melissa Brown said. “We are excited to partner in hosting the sixth year of the Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival. The beauty of the blossoms, the vitality of the Japanese Garden, and the enthusiasm participants bring while experiencing culture and history truly makes for a special weekend.”

“It amazes me to think back to 2013, the first time we decided to have a Cherry Blossom viewing picnic in the Japanese Garden. We had fewer than 20 people show up,” said Paula Hinz, Friends of the Japanese Garden. “Just six years later, we have thousands of people enjoying the blossoms during the festival. In early April, volunteers met at the garden to help clean up winter debris. This year, we reached out to McKinley High School to connect with their horticulture class. We’re thankful for their support this year, as they’ll be volunteering at the festival, as well.”

Events for the festival are as follows:

•Festival Kickoff: Wednesday, May 1, 5-8 p.m.

  • The Buffalo History Museum, One Museum Court, Buffalo
  • The sixth annual Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival will kick off with a presentation about the Japanese Pavilion of the Pan-American Exposition and a kimono fashion show. This event is free for all to attend.

•Festival Fundraiser, Thursday, May 2, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

  • The Terrace at Delaware Park, 199 Lincoln Parkway, Buffalo
  • Ticket price: $70 per couple or $40 per individual
  • Featuring a cherry blossom gin tasting by Lockhouse Distillery, hors d’oeuvres, silent auction and an open bar. Tickets can be purchased at bit.ly/buffaloblossoms2019.

•Festival Weekend: Saturday, May 4, and Sunday, May 5, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

  • Japanese Garden in Delaware Park and The Buffalo History Museum
  • The festival will include several activities and events, including musical performances, boat rides on Mirror Lake, taiko drumming, crafts, vendors, tai chi, and the annual pink parade.

For a full schedule, visit: https://www.buffalocherryblossomfestival.org/.

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