Festival, a celebration of Japanese culture and friendships, is scheduled for March 1-April 20. The festival provides an opportunity to experience Japanese culture through lectures, exhibits, demonstrations, a Haiku contest and other activities. The theme represents 15 years of celebrating strong, human relationships between the people of Alabama and Japan. As in years past, the Sakura Festival is expected to attract people from around the Southeast. Although many events will take place on the UA campus, some activities will be held in the Tuscaloosa community.
Most events are free to the public.
In Japan, the Sakura Festival is a celebration of the blossoming of the cherry trees, recognizing spring's renewal of the spirit of life and celebrating its beauty. UA's Denny Chimes area boasts a spectacular view of blossoms on cherry trees made possible through a donation from a businessman in Tuscaloosa's sister city of Narashino, Japan. Cherry blossoms can also be seen at the corner of University Boulevard and Stadium Drive, on trees donated by JVC America, and in the Narashino Grove, located off Lurleen Wallace Boulevard, developed with funds donated by the city of Narashino. Any medium may be used on poster sized paper. Entries of the art contest will be displayed in the center court of McFarland Mall on March 9-11.