NEIGHBORHOOD MATSURI

 Our annual neighborhood Matsuri was fun again this year.  It is held in a community park around the corner from our house and there were several hundred people who attended.  Gary wore his ukata that Sister Furukawa gave him last year.  We asked that the missionaries attend so we could be good neighbors and build trust with those living around us.

A hat dance done by the mature ladies of the neighborhood.

This group of children from the Elementary school performed a song.

 Looked like a primary program.

5th and 6th Graders performing.

Cute little girls in traditional summer Ukatas.

All ages were represented.

A popular food to buy was a slightly salted cucumber on a stick. 

Cutie-patooties

A swing band of 4th-6th graders and they were quite fabulous.

  Many High School jazz band aren't as good as they were. 

At the end of the evening was the circle traditional dances done mostly by the older women.  A few men join in and some little girls try to do it but the young moms and mid-aged folks don't know it at all and don't even try.  I fear the tradition will die out after the older generation is gone.  Gary had looked forward to trying the dance so he and the AP's joined in.  I have a video of them dancing that I can't upload to this BLOG.  They were quite impressive and all the little old ladies were liberal with their compliments and appreciation of them trying to learn the dance afterwards.