Free, family-friendly event on April 18

On Thursday, April 18, Clark College’s 2019 Sakura Festival will honor the historic ties of friendship between the sister-cities of Vancouver, Washington, and Joyo, Japan.
Thefestival will begin at 1:00 p.m. with opening remarks near the Royce E. PollardJapanese Friendship Garden, which is located next to the Beacock Music Hall onClark’s main campus. Dignitaries who are scheduled to speak include Mayor AnneMcEnerny Ogle, Clark College President Bob Knight, Japanese Consul GeneralTakashi Teraoka, and Clark College Japanese Scholarship recipient Kiho Takedoa.
Theopening ceremony will include a koto performance by Yukiko Vossen and aperformance by the Clark College Women’s Choral Ensemble. The koto, a stringedmusical instrument, is the national instrument of Japan.
From2:30 to 3:30 p.m., the Sakura celebration will continue in the Gaiser StudentCenter, where guests will enjoy family-friendly cultural activities includingperformances by the Clark College Japanese Cultural Club, traditionalcalligraphy by Sora Shodo, a greeting from the college’s Child & FamilyStudies program, and drumming by members of Takohachi TakoQ. Cookies and teawill be served. Information about the Sakura Ceremony is available at www.clark.edu/cc/sakura.
Allevents are free and open to the public. The Sakura Festival is sponsored byClark College, the City of Vancouver, and the Vancouver Rotary.
ClarkCollege is located at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. Driving directionsand parking maps are available at www.clark.edu/maps. Individuals whoneed accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in thisevent should contact Clark College’s Disability Support Services Office at360-992-2314 or 360-991-0901 (VP) or visit the Penguin Union Building room 013.