Festival is a free fun-filled day for families across Southern California

By Jessie Kikuchi

Join us in Little Tokyo, where culture comes alive, on Saturday, May 12th, from 10am to 4pm for Family FunFest, The Japanese American Cultural & Community Center’s 24th Annual Children’s Day Celebration. A fun-filled day of family-friendly activities, including sports, culture and music, takes place during this annual celebration of Japanese tradition and the cultural diversity of Los Angeles.  Children’s Day or Kodomo no Hi is a post-war Japanese holiday which is directly linked to a much older observance, Tango-no-Sekku or Boy’s Day.

The Chibi-K: Kids for Kids Fun Run kicks off the full day celebration at the JACCC.  Children ages 4 to 12 are invited to register in this fun run through the streets of Little Tokyo.  Every runner gets a Chibi-K t-shirt, goodie bag, and pancake breakfast!  Family FunFest continues on San Pedro Street with the Little Tokyo Recreation Center’s San Tai San: 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament for boys and girls ages 7 to 12.   Families can also enjoy a variety of activities on the JACCC Plaza at the Asian Pacific Arts and Crafts Faire with games, food, crafts, entertainment, and more.  The Cultural Discovery Workshops, led by local artists and professionals, are a unique hands-on opportunity for parents and children to experience a variety of cultural traditions.  Learn the basics of taiko drumming in the 5th Annual Kids Taiko Konference or how to create your favorite delicious Japanese foods in the Sushi Making or Manju Making Workshops.  Family FunFest highlights the traditional arts and crafts of Japan and Hawaii through hands-on experiences for children with skilled artists, cultural performances, workshops, and exhibits.

For more information or to register for events, call (213) 628-2725 Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm, email [email protected], or visit our website at: www.jaccc.org.

The JACCC is located in the Little Tokyo district in downtown Los Angeles at 244 S. San Pedro St., Downtown.  Convenient parking is available on San Pedro Street or Second Street.

The 2007 Family FunFest is made possible in part by support from Union Pacific, the Sierra Madre Issei Memorial Fund, United Parcel Service, Sansei Legacy, PCSD/Alan Kosaka, the Japanese American Optimist Club, and the Nikkei Credit Union.  JACCC programs are supported in part by grants from the JACCC program are made possible in part by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors through the County Arts Commission, and The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles.  Significant support is provided by American Airlines and the Rafu Shimpo, media sponsor.