The 34th Annual Powell Street Festival

On Saturday July 31 and Sunday August 1, The Powell Street Festival, Canada’s largest festival celebrating the Japanese-Canadian community, took place at Oppenheimer Park. The festival attracted a large number of people, who enjoyed various Japanese cultural and sports events as well as traditional Japanese food.

In his opening remarks, Consul General Ito expressed his delight in seeing the reopening of the Oppenheimer Park, which has been a place of history and memories for many Japanese Canadians. He also commended the many Japanese Canadians who have contributed to further expansion of the Japanese cultural society in Canada by handing down Japanese traditions to new generations. He said that these Japanese Canadians are truly the building blocks of Canada's diverse society.

Also at the opening ceremony, Vancouver Mayor, Gregor Robertson declared that the City of Vancouver proclaims August 6, 2010 as ‘Hiroshima Day’ to commemorate the 65th anniversary of atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

The opening ceremony guests included MLA Shane Simpson, MP Libby Davies and Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson

Consul General Ito and Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson

Consul General Ito at the opening ceremony

The festival site at Oppenheimer Park

Mikoshi (a portable shrine)