Celebrate the Fifth Annual Humboldt Obon Festival August 16th

This is a press release from Humboldt Asians & Pacific Islanders in Solidarity:

Photo credit: Mark Larson

The community is invited to the fifth annual Humboldt Obon Festival on Sunday, August 16, 3-7 p.m. in Arcata’s Creamery District, 1251 9^th Street. This free, family-friendly event is based on the Japanese Buddhist festival honoring the spirits of one’s ancestors.

Organized by Humboldt Asians & Pacific Islanders in Solidarity (HAPI), the Obon Festival is celebrated in Humboldt style with a Buddhist blessing, bon odori dancing, Humboldt Taiko performances, an ancestors’ tree, kids’ games, Asian food vendors, artists, and live music. Festivalgoers are encouraged to wear kimonos, yukata or other Japanese-style outfits.

HAPI is calling for volunteers to help staff booths, direct traffic, decorate and set up, work concessions, take down, provide security, recycling and trash patrol, and other duties as needed. It takes a village to put on Obon, and each year the festival grows. To volunteer, email organizers at [email protected].

There is also still room for a few more food vendors and artisans. Vendors interested in being part of this festive community event should contact Ted Hsu, [email protected].

Bon odori is the traditional folk dancing that is a part of the festival – more like circle dancing than line dancing. Craig Kurumada will be teaching these Japanese dances in preparation for the festival street dancing. Beginners are welcome — no previous experience necessary! Dance accessories will be provided. No partner or special shoes are needed.

Free weekly classes run July 5 through August 10 on Sundays (6-7:15 p.m.) and Mondays (7-8 p.m.), at Redwood Raks Collective, 824 L St., Arcata (next to The Pub). In addition, anyone can learn at home with these instructional videos by instructor/sensei Kurumada: https://sites.google.com/humboldt.edu/humboldt-obon-odori-dance-clas/home. For more information, call or text (707) 496-6734, or go to the dance website.

HAPI builds and empowers our community by amplifying diverse voices and perspectives for a more engaged and inclusive future. HAPI is a DreamMaker Project of the Ink People Center for the Arts, a community-based, grassroots, artist-run, arts and culture not-for-profit organization.

For more information, go to https://www.hapihumboldt.org/