Colorado River Park Hosts Haru Matsuri Festival

The Colorado River State Historic Park will host Yuma’s second annual “Haru Matsuri” from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 6. Gates will open at 9:30 a.m.

The Haru Matsuri, which translates into “Spring Festival” in Japanese, will be a daylong celebration of Asian and Pacific Islander culture. The festival will feature entertainment, vendors, demonstrations, crafts and food.

“Last year was our first year, and we had a fantastic festival, but this year will be even better,” said Tammy Snook, park manager of the Colorado River State Historic Park. “We have more entertainment, more vendors and more educational booths.”

New entertainment acts this year include the Calexico Martial Arts Academy Celestial Lion Dance Team, Masazumi Kai Koto & Shakuhachi Performance,

San Diego Kimono Club Demonstration, Traditional Stories from Japan and the Paradise Island Dancers.

“We are really excited to host all of these new groups, but I think a particular crowd favorite will be the Samoan fire knife dance, performed by Abe Haretuku of the Paradise Island Dancers,” Snook said.

Popular returning entertainment acts include the Odaiko Sonora Taiko Drummers, Legacy Tai Chi Interactive Demonstration, Yuma Kendo Demonstration, Yuma Shorin Ryu Karate Demonstration and Dr. Lizzie Renaud’s Hula Performance.

Attendees are invited to join in the fun by wearing their own cosplay costumes. Cosplay–a combination of “costume” and “play”–encourages individuals to dress up as their favorite fictional character. Cosplay activities have become especially popular in Japan, East Asia and the U.S., and costumes are welcome (though not required) at the Haru Matsuri.

Parking for the event will be at the vacant lots on the corner of 1st Street and 2nd Avenue. From there, attendees will walk over the 2nd Avenue Bridge that crosses the Yuma Main Canal, and enter the park’s back gate next to the bridge.

The Colorado River State Historic Park is managed by the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Corp., which operates as a 501©3 nonprofit organization. YCNHA serves as an advocate, with key partners, to protect the Lower Colorado River and its rich history.

For more information, contact the park at 928-3290471.