Shofuso Cherry Blossom Festival

About 250 people attended a dinner at Fairmount Park's Memorial Hall to help fund the costs of buying and planting the first 100 of Philadelphia's new cherry trees.

The cherry tree planting and fundraising continued for a few years at the same modest level, staying mostly within the Japanese and Japanese-American community in Philadelphia.

The celebrations were lively but intimate, as the cherry tree planting project had not yet entered the public's awareness.

Sakura Sunday, an outdoor Japanese cultural fair that takes place at the Horticulture Center in Fairmount Park, is the festival's largest event.

Family and friends come together under the blossoms to experience performances, meet visitors from Japan, and watch the Festival tree planting ceremony.