Fresno Obon This Saturday

Fresno Gumyo Taiko at the Fresno Obon in 2014.

FRESNO — Fresno Buddhist Temple will present its Obon/Festival of Lanterns on Saturday, July 9, at Fresno Buddhist Dharma center, 2690 E. Alluvial Ave. in Fresno.

Doors open at 2 p.m. Foods, desserts and beverages with an Asian flair will be sold while supplies last.

Bingo, carnival games and bake-walks start at 4 p.m., followed by taiko drumming at 5 p.m.

Bon dance starts at 7:30 p.m. No experience necessary — feel free to join in. Personalized memorial lanterns will be displayed. Enter a raffle drawing to win $2,000 (first prize) or $500 (second prize).

Free parking. For more information, call (559) 442-4054, email info@fresnobuddhisttemple.org or visit www.fresnobuddhisttemple.org.

From Geppo, the temple newsletter:

What Obon is about…

It’s about honoring the past, appreciating the moment.

It’s a Festival of Lanterns.

It’s showing support to the Hatsubon families.

It’s the sight of young and old alike, in their colorful yukata and happi coats.

It’s dancing, food, games, entertainment and fun.

It’s spending a great evening with family and friends.

It’s a sense of being.

To devote time and effort into putting on a great event is very satisfying.

So please come out… watch the sunset and talk and laugh into the night.