42nd Nihonmachi Street Fair This Weekend

SAN FRANCISCO — The 42nd annual Nihonmachi Street Fair will be held in San Francisco Japantown, on Post Street between Fillmore and Laguna and on Webster Street between Geary and Sutter, on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 1-2, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Nihonmachi Street Fair considers itself the original “melting pot” of street fairs, with many aspects of Asian Pacific American life — and San Francisco’s cultural life — expressed through performance, tradition, art, music, food, and community outreach and service. The formula must work, since organizers estimated that over 30,000 people attended last year.

NSF is continually evolving to reflect the city it celebrates while staying true to its original idea: to use this event as a platform to mentor Asian Pacific American youths and foster their leadership and communication skills through volunteerism and community service. The event is produced, staffed, and organized by volunteers, thus providing practical, hands-on experience in collaboration, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving.

Special features this year include:

• Children’s World enables families to engage their little ones in Asian-inspired crafts and test their skills in fun games. It’s also a great way to introduce children to this important community event and encourage them to come back to volunteer when they get older.

The Children’s World area works together with the Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen and Court. This year’s Children’s World is made possible by a generous donation from the San Francisco Nikkei Lions Club, which has supported many community organizations in the city.

• Doggie World will be a gathering place for the four-legged members of our community to join in on the fun. Local animal experts and adoption agencies will be on hand to offer tips and information. Also there will be Doggie World vendors selling a variety of items and nonprofit organizations that provides services for animal health and welfare.

People and their pooches are invited to take part in the fourth annual Doggie World Parade and Yappy Hour. Participants will receive a NSF Doggie World Wag Bag filled with lots of great treats. All proceeds will be donated to the S.F. Friends of Animal Care & Control and other local animal rescue organizations. This year’s Doggie World is sponsored by the Arguello Pet Hospital.

• The Asian Artisan area has welcomed a wide variety of artistic talent from all over the Bay Area and beyond. Many artisans, like Waka Ozawa, Pomegranate Designs, Kayoko Designs, Creative Accents and Fabrications, have been participating at the Nihonmachi Street Fair for over 20 years.

You’ll find a great selection of handmade crafts all created with an artistic eye. It’s a great opportunity to meet the artists and ask questions about their craft.

• The Food Fest will give you a chance to both experience and support local non-profits as well as businesses. From teri-burgers to adobo, okonomiyaki to waffles, there’s something for everyone.

• The second annual Sounds of Thunder Car Show will feature fabulous muscle cars and vintage trucks from back in the day. Approximately 20 cars will be showcased on both days.

• The second annual Co-Ed Basketball Tournament will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday fro 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, 1840 Sutter St. The players, their families and friends will not only compete but also create new friendships as well as supporting the Nihonmachi Street Fair. Last year’s tournament proved to be a popular addition and huge success for the fair.

• The Sprout by HP Webster Street Stage will feature:

Saturday, Aug. 1

11 a.m.: The Reefriders Band

12 p.m.: The Reflex

2 p.m.: The Love Struck band

3 p.m.: Rockblood

5 p.m.: Dakila

Sunday, Aug. 2

11 a.m.: The Vibes

12 p.m.: Ascension

2 p.m.: ThirdSol

3 p.m.: Pulse

5 p.m.: Rendezvous

• The Clear Channel Outdoor Stage at Peace Plaza will feature:

Saturday, Aug. 1

11:30 a.m.: West Coast Lion Dance

12:15 p.m.: Unko Edgar Dang Keiki Ukulele Contest

1:15 p.m.: Wesley Woo Band

2 p.m.: Parangal Dance Company

2:15 p.m.: Shogo Yamada

2:45 p.m.: Ke Aolani O Kamaile

3:10 p.m. Blessed Love Gospel Reggae Band

4:30 p.m.: CryWolffs Violin

5 p.m.: San Francisco Taiko Dojo

Sunday, Aug. 2

Commemoration of 70th anniversary of Hiroshima/Nagasaki atomic bombings

12:30 p.m.: Premiere performance of “1945: Year of Infamy” by Anthony Brown’s Asian American Orchestra. “Voices of a Dream” led by Amikaela. Poetry and spoken word by Genny Lim.

1:30 p.m.: Memorial service by Japanese American Religious Federation

Aloha by the Bay All-Star Jam

2 p.m.: Cynthia Lin

2:20 p.m.: Ben Ahn

2:45 p.m.: Raymond Leimana Akahi Macapagal

3:10 p.m.: Ben Kaili

3:35 p.m.: Kumu Meleana Manuel and Hula Hālau Ke ‘Olu Makani Ka ‘Ohu Mai Ka Lani

4:10 p.m.: JD Pomaika‘i, Steven Espaniola and Faith Ako, Kani Ka Pila

There will also be non-profit info tables and corporate info booths.

Alert: BART service from Oakland to San Francisco will be unavailable this weekend. The Lifeline Bus Bridge will be available.

For more information, visit www.nihonmachistreetfair.org.