Congratulations everyone – it was another very successful Omatsuri. The crowd was fantastic, the weather stayed dry all day (somebody up there must have heard our prayers), the food, the entertainment, the cultural demonstrations, kid’s corner and the market were just amazing, probably the best cultural festival in the city!
We had amazingly dedicated volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this event the best in the city. Some of you were the committee members who’d been at it since the beginning of the year, some of you were lending hands in set-up and take down and many others were running the activities on the special day. It takes all of you, over 450 strong with various backgrounds and ethnicities to make the event such an authentically cultural event in our city. The Japanese community is very blessed to have volunteers like you to have made it happen again for another year. Truly, you have earned bragging rights!
We received much needed financial support from the city of Calgary and several businesses and individuals as well as various support in-kind, including WestJet and Air Canada that helped make ends meet. Much appreciated. I, like many of you, cherish the memory of being a part of this very special event. Someday down the road, when we take a break from daily chores, we may reminisce on the days when we were a significant part of Calgary’s Omatsuri and how people in Calgary enjoyed the Japanese culture – ate, watched, laughed, amazed, admired and appreciated.
In Japan, the Omatsuri is an entire community event. Families, friends, neighbours, and local businesses rise to this occasion and celebrate being alive, well and happy, and all the good things about being a part of the community. Next year- the year 2020 will be the 10th anniversary year of the Omatsuri and the committee will be working hard to bring in a very special anniversary event. I’m looking forward to working with you again. Mark August 8, 2020 on your day timer.
Omatsuri photos by Pat and Paul Jetté and Video by Ryan Logan are up on our website: www.calgaryjca.com There are many volunteer positions available for the Omatsuri-2020. Be a part of this exciting event and be a part of the community!
Thank you – Arigato!
Taken from the CJCA November 2019 Newsletter
– Written by Ted Wada, Event Chairperson
Video credit by Ryan Logan