81st Annual Commemoration Service for A-Bomb Victims and Survivor

Over two days on July 11 and 12, the Nova Vita Festival was held in Irvine.

The festival is a fundraising event organized by the Nova Vita Foundation, a nonprofit organization rooted in Orange County’s Japanese American community that works to support and develop local high school students through community activities.

The Nova Vita Foundation organizes a variety of community service events to help students develop practical leadership, organizational, and communication skills.

The festival is held every year to introduce Japanese culture while bringing the local community together for a fun summer celebration.
Local high school students took the lead in planning and organizing the event, with support from adult volunteers.

The festival featured vendor booths selling accessories, kimono, specialty products, and Dodgers merchandise.
There were also food booths offering Japanese festival-style fare.

The stage featured a variety of performances, including LA Nebuta, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, traditional Japanese and Ryukyu dances, hula and cheerleading, as well as a mini singing show, karaoke, and a robotics presentation by local high school students.

Children enjoyed crafts, karaoke, and a variety of games, making it a fun-filled day for people of all ages.

Proceeds from the festival will go toward scholarships and Nova Vita’s community service activities.