Mountain View Obon Festival and Bazaar

When I was a child in Palo Alto I waited in anticipation for the Obon Festival*.  The annual festival was an opportunity for me to gain access to the Japanese culture which I knew absolutely nothing about.  As the posters advertising the date were hung I made excuses to slowly bike past the Buddhist Temple on Louis Road and I would watch the dancers in kimono's rehearse, their excited chatter fueled my enthusiasm.  Every year I would meander the rooms filled with bright crafts and artistically arranged flowers (Ikebana) while my mother was on the hunt for the perfect potted bonsai to add to our backyard landscape.  As I walked home with my pockets brimming with prizes, a bagged goldfish in one hand and a rice treat or teriyaki skewer in the other I knew that the next year was already on the horizon.  

In Mountain View, the Buddhist Temple will be hosting their annual Obon Festival and Bazaar Saturday, July 21 (4:00pm - 10:00pm) and Sunday, July 22 (noon - 8:30pm).  575 North Shoreline Boulevard, Mountain View, CA. 94043.  See the schedule of events below or visit their website. Website for MV Buddhist Temple Obon Festival and Bazaar

Keep in mind ...

• Parking can be limited during peak hours so I recommend that you walk.  If it's too far to walk spare yourself the frustration and plan to park a few blocks away.
• You are guaranteed to bring home a live goldfish ... if you want one!
• Admission is free but bring cash, you'll want to taste the delectable treats and your children will want to play the games which are very reasonably priced.
• Schedule your visit around the entertainment and don't miss the indoor exhibits.
• *Obon (お盆^?) is a Japanese Buddhist custom created to honor the spirits of one's ancestors.

2012 Obon Schedule
Obon/Hatsubon Service: Sunday, July 8, 10:00 am
Saturday, July 21 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm
4:30 pm	Mountain View Buddhist Temple Taiko MC, Mike Inouye, NBC Bay Area TV Traffic Anchor
4:00 pm to 10:00 pm	Food Indoors, Outdoors, Take-out Game Booths For Children and Adults Flower Shop Cut and Potted Flowers, Plants BCA and Cultural Books Homecrafts Sangha Hall, Rooms 1 and 2 Temple Cookbooks, T-Shirts
4:00 pm to 9:00 pm	Cultural Room Exhibit Ikebana Flowers, Suiseki Rocks, Mataro Kinokumi Dolls, Dharma School, Nakayoshi Gakko
6:00 pm	Jun Daiko Performance at the Yagura (tower) MC, Mike Inouye, NBC Bay Area TV Traffic Anchor
10:00 pm	Closing
Sunday, July 22 12:00 noon to 8:30 pm
12:30 pm	Mountain View Buddhist Temple Taiko at the Yagura (tower) stage MC, Mike Inouye, NBC Bay Area TV Traffic Anchor
12:00 noon to 8:30 pm	Food Indoors, Outdoors, Take-out Game Booths For Children and Adults Flower Shop Cut and Potted Flowers, Plants BCA and Cultural Books Homecrafts Sangha Hall, Rooms 1 and 2 Temple Cookbooks, T-Shirts
12:00 noon to 8:00 pm	Cultural Room Exhibit
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm	Children’s Hands-On Cultural Activities Bonsai trimming, planting, Balloons by Debbie, Taiko, Ikebana flowers, Hachi Maki headband stamping, Calligraphy names, Origami paper folding
3:30 pm	Jun Daiko Performance at the Yagura (tower) MC, Mike Inouye, NBC Bay Area TV Traffic Anchor
6:00 pm	San Jose Chidori Band MC, Bill Nishimoto
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm	Bon Odori dance MC, Bill Nishimoto
8:00 pm	Raffle Drawing
8:30 pm	Closing