The Cupertino Judo Club gives a self-defense demonstration at a previous Cherry Blossom Festival.

Hokubei Mainichi photo

CUPERTINO — The 2008 Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Memorial Park on Stevens Creek Boulevard across from De Anza College.

In early 1983, a delegation from Toyokawa, Aichi Prefecture, visited Cupertino to present a gift of 200 cherry trees. Cupertino Mayor John Gatto and Toyokawa Mayor Yoshi Yamamoto, assisted by the city, planted those trees in Memorial Park.

The ceremony commemorated the fifth anniversary of the Cupertino-Toyokawa Sister City Program.

As the cherry trees have grown, the bonds between the cities and their people have also grown. At the annual Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival, participants celebrate the blossoming of the trees and of the many friendships that have grown through the sister-city program.

The program has thrived because of broad-based support. It is coordinated by the Cupertino-Toyokawa Sister City Committee, with the support of the City of Cupertino and the Cupertino Union School District.

Honored guests this year will include Cupertino Mayor Dolly Sandoval and, representing Toyokawa, Tani and Alan Minor.

One of the highlights will be demonstrations by current world sumo champion Byambajav Ulambayar and international and American sumo wrestlers.

The festival will feature food, cultural displays and demonstrations, entertainment, and arts and crafts. Deadline for arts and crafts applications is April 1.

The outdoor entertainment schedule is as follows:

Saturday, April 26

11 a.m.: Opening remarks by emcee Bill Nishimoto

11:05 a.m.: Sunnyvale Suzuki Violinists (children’s group)

11:30 a.m.: San Jose Kendo

12 p.m.: Northern California Naginata Federation

12:30 p.m.: Welcome remarks and introduction of exchange students by Mayor Sandoval

12:35 p.m.: Fine Arts Commission

12:45 p.m.: San Jose Taiko

1:30 p.m.: Bando Misayasu Kai (classical Japanese dance)

1:45 p.m.: Satsuma Dojo (karate)

2:15 p.m.: Cupertino Judo Club

2:45 p.m.: Aikido of Silicon Valley

3:15 p.m.: Yamato Buyo Kenkyusho (classical dance)

3:45 p.m.: Watsonville Taiko

4:30 p.m.: Closing remarks by emcee

Sunday, April 27

11 a.m.: Opening remarks by emcee

11:05 a.m.: Miwa-Kai Dance Group

11:30 a.m.: Palo Alto Kendo

12 p.m.: Western Aikido Yosho Kai

12:30 p.m.: California Sumo Association

1:15 p.m.: Stanford Taiko

2 p.m.: Satsuma Dojo

2:30 p.m.: Cupertino Judo Club

3 p.m.: Aikido of Silicon Valley

3:30 p.m.: California Sumo Association

4:15 p.m.: Emeryville Taiko

5 p.m.: Closing remarks by emcee

For more information, call Lucille Honig at (408) 257-7424 or visit www.cupertinotoyokawa.org.

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