The Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute held its 2024 Matsuri Fundraiser — a community tradition for over 70 years — on June 29.
The program opened with the presentation of GVJCI scholarship recipients, introduction of corporate sponsors, including King’s Hawaiian and U.S. Bank, and greetings from Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi.
Food booths offered such dishes as andagi, char siu bao, chicken teriyaki rice, chili dog, chili rice, corn on the cob, inari, shave ice, somen salad, Spam musubi, tamales, udon and yakisoba. The Beer Garden was also popular.
Outdoor entertainment included Yuujou Daiko, Na Pua O Kapo (uku-lele), Tomo no Kai hula class led by Harriet Nagata, TNK line dancing class led by Chris Mori, Bando Hidesomi (traditional Japanese dance), TNK Move & Groove led by Tim Toyama, L.A. Men’s Glee Club, Ken Yanai and Paul Tavenner (Japanese flute and drums).
Indoor entertainment included a koto performance by Avaya McCoy and martial arts demonstrations by Southern California Kyudo Renmei, Southern California Naginata Federation, Gardena Kendo and Gardena Judo Club. There were also ikebana and tea ceremony demonstrations and a display by GVJCI’s Japanese lan-guage school.
Other activities included safety presentations by Tri-City CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), a white elephant sale, a plant sale, and Tomo no Kai’s craft sale and art display.
Games for kids were offered throughout the day. The festival closed with bingo and the Mega Matsuri Raffle.