Cherry Blossom Day March 16 at Oregon Capitol kicks off three weeks of events at State Capitol State Park
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – The third Saturday in March is Cherry Blossom Day in Salem, thanks to Senate Bill 146, which was passed in 2017. Cherry Blossom Day at the Capitol was created to celebrate the cherry blossom trees on the Capitol Mall, and organically became a celebration of the Japanese cultural influence in Oregon due to the significance of the cherry blossom (Sakura) to their community.
Cherry Blossom Day on March 16 kicks off three weeks of events celebrating cherry blossoms at the State Capitol State Park.
Cherry Blossom Day March 16:
There will be free and family-friendly activities in State Capitol State Park on the Capitol Mall (directly across Court Street from the Capitol) between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 16.
Perfectly aligned on each side with Akebono cherry trees, the mall makes an amazing backdrop for the celebration and for thousands of photographs that visitors take annually.
Speaking of photos, the Capitol will be posting the updates of the blooms to its Facebook and Instagram accounts beginning March 1 to share the status of the trees and the park with the annual “Bloom Watch.” Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will also have a livestream of the mall on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OregonParks.
The public can join the festivities by using #CherryBlossomDay on their social media posts and sharing their Cherry Blossom Day excursions and activities.
The program for Cherry Blossom Day includes:
11 a.m. Monmouth Taiko
11:50 a.m. City of Salem Proclamation by Mayor Chris Hoy
NOON Martial Arts demonstration by Toru Tanabe
12:30 p.m. SamaZama: Masumi Timson, Koto and Joseph
Harchanko, Cello
1:15 p.m. Miwa Holman, Yuko Hong, Nanami Riedel, and Seika
Kyoda musical performance
2 p.m. Kimono Fashion Show
2:30 p.m. Bon Dance (audience participation encouraged!)
In addition to the program above, many local organizations will have tables with free activities.
Yozakura March 16- April 6:
For the third year, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will host a “Yozakura.” This is viewing the cherry blossoms at night. Parks staff will be illuminating the cherry blossoms with Japanese lanterns and lights, starting the evening of March 16 through April 6. The public is invited to partake in Yozakura by bringing a blanket, camping chairs, and a nighttime picnic to enjoy under the canopy of trees. There is no alcohol allowed in the park, and the park closes at 10 p.m.
Photography March 23:
On March 23, Focal Point Photography Club will be in the park at 7 p.m. to help amateur photographers get their best shots of blossoms at night.
Live music March 30:
On March 30 at 7 p.m. SamaZama, Masumi Timson on Koto and Joseph Harchanko on Cello, will perform for an hour. These activities are free and open to the public.
The Oregon State Capitol Foundation and the City of Salem are presenting sponsors of these events. For more information on the foundation, visit https://oregoncapitolfoundation.org/ .
For more information on events at the Capitol, call Visitor Services at 503-986-1388 or visit http://www.oregoncapitol.com/events.
