The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival March 29 to April 25, 2024 is an annual event that celebrates the cherry blossom season. Sakura Days Japan Fair on April 13 & 14, which is part of the Festival, showcased Japanese food and cultural activities from Japanese food, sake, performances such as the Japanese tea ceremony, taiko drumming, theatre and games. Representatives of Rotary District 5040 participated in the Sakura Days Japan Fair over the two days.
Rotary District 5040 has 90 clubs - Rotary, Rotaract and Interact Clubs, with approximately 3000 volunteers/members. Our District serves a large portion of British Columbia from Prince Rupert, out to Haida Gwaii, then south to 100 Mile House, and down highway 99 to the Sunshine Coast and majority of the greater Vancouver area.
A former Rotary-sponsored, graduate studies Peace Fellow from Japan, who also studied at UBC, Mary Kato, attended the Fair and would like to reconnect with Rotary. Her teenage daughter would like to get involved in a high school Interact club, sponsored by Rotary.
Ambassadorial Scholar from Japan to Canada from 2007 to 2009 Michi Yamasaki attended graduate school in political science at University of Waterloo and fondly remembers the hospitality shown by members of Rotary Club of Waterloo. Now teaching English to Japanese students in this region, she was delighted to connect with Rotarians as fellow exhibitors at the Fair.
Ambassadorial Scholar from Japan to Canada from 2007 to 2009 Michi Yamasaki attended graduate school in political science at University of Waterloo and fondly remembers the hospitality shown by members of Rotary Club of Waterloo. Now teaching English to Japanese students in this region, she was delighted to connect with Rotarians as fellow exhibitors at the Fair.
A visitor from Seattle came by the Rotary booth then made a $200 donation to The Rotary Foundation.
Many other contacts were made. It was a productive and enjoyable experience for Rotary members and those met during the Fair.