Resolution 170155

..Title Recognizing and Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia. ..Body WHEREAS, The Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival began in 1997 as a tree planting effort by the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia (JASGP) in Philadelphia's historic Fairmount Park and along the Schuylkill River. Since then, it has grown to become a 9-day celebration of Japanese arts and culture, as well as a display of the growing friendship between Japan and the City of Philadelphia; and WHEREAS, In line with this mission of fostering a better understanding of Japanese cultural and social customs, JASGP, with support from its title sponsor Subaru of America, Inc., has planted over 1,000 cherry trees to date in local parks as part of the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival. These flowering trees supplement the 2,600 cherry trees the Japanese government gave to the people of Philadelphia during the 1926 sesquicentennial; and WHEREAS, Every year, thousands of Philadelphians and visitors gather in Fairmount Park to enjoy various family-friendly events and activities that highlight Japanese culture. These events include traditional Japanese ohanami, parties beneath the cherry trees with food, drink, and entertainment in which spectators gather to view and enjoy the blossoms; and WHEREAS, This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival and the celebration will begin on Saturday, April 1st, with events taking place at Fairmount Park, Center City and Old City. Visitors can expect to watch international performances, sample Japanese foods, experience the dynamic Japanese pop cultures of cosplay and anime, and participate in the Cherry Blossom 10K/5K run. The festival will end on April 9th; and WHEREAS, The Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival helps citizens of Philadelphia celebrate and learn more about Japanese culture and is an important opportunity to strengthen connections with the Japanese American community in Philadelphia; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes and celebrates the 20th Anniversary of the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia. FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia as evidence of the gratitude of this legislative body. ..End