Because we are here in the enchanted kingdom where cherry blossoms dwell I might as well have this Calendar of Festival and because Campbell River is the sister city of Ishikari, Japan we should have this traditional Calendar of Events to remind us of what's next to be featured in my blogs.
We had that New Year tradition of greetings Happy New Year to everyone while the Japanese shouted " Banzai" which means 10,000 Years!
FEBRUARY is to celebrate Valentine's Day by sharing Hello Kitty stuff and accessories.
MARCH 3 - Girls Day Festival of Dolls.
MARCH - Peach Blossoms Festival. Young girls wear kimonos to visit their friends.
APRIL - Cherry Blossom Festival. Family picnic
APRIL 8 - Buddha's birthday.
APRIL - Miniature of flower temples and small statues of Buddha is placed on each little shrine.
MAY - Iris Festival. Iris leaves to be placed on the water- filled tub for the family's son to bathe on knowing it will give their son a martial spirit. Iris has it sknown symbol of courage and strength.
MAY 5 - Carp Festival. Brightly colored cloth lantern adorn bamboo poles at the stand-front porch of the house where the couple has a son or sons.
JULY 7 - Star Festival.
JULY - Princess Weaver Star fell in love with a cowherd star on the banks of the Heavenly River (Milky Way).
JULY-AUGUST Feast of the Lantern.
JULY-AUGUST- Visit friends. Visit the tombs of friends and ancestors. Bon odori dance is performed. Miniature straw boats are made. You have to offer food and incense.
OCTOBER - Thanksgiving Festival.
OCTOBER - Farmers expressed their gratitude to the Shinto gods by offering them the first fruit of the field.
NOVEMBER 15 - Girls age: 7, Boys of 5, children of 3. Shici-Go-San festival where those kids have to receive presents
NOVEMBER - Chrysanthemum Festival. Chrysanthemum is an Imperial crest. 16 petals, 100 species. Dolls made of clay are made to commemmorate this festival and then to be displayed for public viewing.
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By the way, today is the celebration of the Commonwealth Day.
DST has begun on the 9th of March 2014.
March 10, 2014 : Also the birth anniversary of my aunt Mina. Happy Birthday Tia Mina!
March 12, 2014: Advance Happy birthday to my Sister!
March 16, 2014: Purim
March 17, 2014: Saint Patrick's Day
March 20, 2014: First Start of Spring or First Day of Spring.
March 23, 2014: Last Quarter
March 30, 2014: New Moon
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Have you started with your Spring Cleaning? Sort of some of your old clothes? Keeping your winter clothes back to your trunks?
For sure there'll be lots of garage sales again in the neighborhood.
