The 2016 Sakura / Cherry Blossom Festival was held at Midtown Mall, Tuscaloosa, on April 9. The Festival had the theme of “Celebrate / Shukuga” in recognition of the 30th anniversary of Tuscaloosa’s relationship with it’s sister city, Narashino, in Japan. Anyone who stopped by had the opportunity to see traditional dancing and drumming, purchase Japanese items, learn traditional children’s games, observe a kendo sword demonstration and learn aspects of Japanese culture from The University of Alabama’s Japanese students, among other activities and presentations. The Sister Cities International art contest winning artwork from Tuscaloosa schools were on display before moving on to the national competition in Washington D.C.
