WEST COVINA — The East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center (ESGVJCC) presents the 43rd annual Akimatsuri Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 12 to 8 p.m. with ondo (Japanese dancing) for all to participate in, starting at 6:30 p.m. in the ESGVJCC lot, located at 1203 W. Puente Ave. in West Covina.
The event is free and open to the public.
Akimatsuri highlights will include demonstrations and performances by West Covina Shinkendo, Goju Ryu Karate Dojo, Kishin Daiko, Covina Kendo Dojo, Hoshunkai (minyo dance group), and West Covina Judo.
Varieties of Japanese foods will be available for purchase, including teriyaki chicken, udon, taiyaki, yakisoba, chicken curry, chili rice, gyoza, snow cones, and more.
There will be games for children. For the adults, there are cultural exhibits and a raffle drawing.
All proceeds from the festival will benefit the ESGVJCC, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering and preserving the cultural heritage unique to Japanese American ancestry; and to serve the community through social services, artistic, recreational and educational programs. For more information on the center’s programs and services, visit esgvjcc.org.
For more information about the schedule of events for the 2013 Akimatsuri, contact Pearl Omiya, executive director, at (626) 960-2566 or visit the website.