April 22nd to the 23rd was the Cherry Blossom Festival at Monterey Park’s Barnes Park. Although this event was held since the 1970s, it was canceled at one point. Afterwards, it revived with the help of the volunteers in 1998 and this year is the 20th anniversary. Members of the city council like the Monterey Park mayor and Congresswoman, Judy Chu as well as Consul General, Akira Chiba attended the opening ceremony on the 22nd. At the event, taiko drummings were performed for entertainment and ikebana flower arrangements using spring flowers were displayed.Various booths introducing other Japanese cultures like demonstrating sumie ink painting and introducing Japanese foods were also there, entertaining over 9,000 attendees. The 22nd was also Earth Day, so there was a corner discussing the environment and the event was liven up by the children that participated.