VIDEO: Cherry Blossom Festival

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI News)- Sunday afternoon, the city of Tupelo’s Department of Parks and Recreation held its annual Cherry Blossom Festival.

This is the city’s way of bridging the gap between the Japanese and American cultures.

A sizeable crowd gathered at Ballard Park in Tupelo to celebrate a beautiful Spring day filled with Japanese tradition and culture.

The weather kept this from reaching its full potential last year, but this year Parks and Rec. officials are marking this down as a success.

“This festival, we hope, will get bigger and bigger every year,” said Parks and Recreation Director Alex Farned.

Japanese culture has been a part of this state’s community for years.

Many Japanese companies have crossed over and found themselves in Mississippi, bringing job creation and their culture with them.

This is how Tupelo residents felt they could show their gratitude.

“It’s just one of the ways for us to say thank you for all they’ve done and everything that they’ve done for the community, not just in Tupelo but all over the Northeast with all the job creation and just all the positive stuff that they’ve done,” said Farned

The name of the festival has roots in Japanese culture, and with the coming of the season committee members thought the cherry blossom would be a perfect fit.

“It’s a symbol of the season, Spring, and then you know that Spring has come and the the cherry blossoms bloom and then that the you know graduation of the season in japan and also the entrance and ceremony of the seasons,” said Committee member Kumi Richardson.

This festival is the first of its kind in Mississippi, and organizers are happy to be a part of this connecting of the two cultures.

“We love just being a part of starting something new and again a lot of hard work went into this, and it’s really paying off,” said Farned

Those who attended also think the same thing, because even though their heritage is in Japan they have found their place in America.

“I don’t see japan and the U.S. separately. It’s just, you know, to me both are equal and important homes,” said Richardson.

Many of the events at the festival featured food tasting, singing, and martial arts demonstrations, all making a great afternoon.