Over twenty-five years ago, the City of Vancouver received a gift of 100 Shirofugen cherry trees, which were planted at Clark College, creating an enduring reminder of the sister-city relationship between our region and Joyo Japan.
“Please join us under the beautiful cherry blossoms as we celebrate a legacy of international friendship and learning at the annual Clark College Sakura Festival.” All are invited to attend the 11th Annual Sakura Festival on April 13th at 1:15 pm at Clark College, on the east side of O’Connell Gym.
After the ceremony, in the Gaiser Student Center, additional festivities will include music and dance performances, cultural exhibitions, and family-friendly activities.
History of Ceremony
John Kageyama, President of America Kotobuki Electronics, Inc., presented a gift of 100 Shirofugen cherry trees to the City of Vancouver to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Washington’s statehood.
On April 11, 1990, as a celebration of Arbor Day and Earth Day, the trees were planted on Clark College’s main campus in Vancouver’s Central Park. More than 300 residents of the community, as well as representatives of business and industry, joined members of the college community spread mulch around each tree to complete the planting.
Today, the cherry trees bring beauty to the college and the region. They are the site of the annual Sakura Festival each April, which was started in 2006.
