More than 750 church members volunteer to bring the 63rd annual Buddhist cultural bazaar to Sacramento. It started today and continues tomorrow.

Folk dance and music is performed in the Main Chapel.

Estimated attendance for the two-day event is 40,000 to 50,000 people.

The statistics for the event are staggering.

10,000 + pounds of chicken seasoned and barbecued for chicken teriyaki are

prepared and served.

Follow the smoke trail!

One and a half tons of rice are cleaned cooked and consumed in traditional Japanese

cuisine.

400 pounds of shrimp are cleaned and cooked for tempura and sushi delicacies.

1,500 pounds of beef are prepared for teriyaki meat sticks and sandwiches.

500 pounds of noodles are prepared for hot and cold dishes.

2,000 pounds of charcoal are used to cook teriyaki chicken and teriyaki beef sticks.

150 gallons of soy sauce used to create authentic marinades and other seasonings.

500 pounds of sugar and 100 pounds of salt are used in preparation of various  seasonings.

6 tons of ice is used to cool drinks, keep fish sushi fresh and make refreshing snow cones.

One of the volunteers in the beer booth takes a rest.

A volunteer works the Plush Wheel booth.

Bazaar attendees place their bets, and sometimes win, at the Super Wheel.

The schedule for tomorrow is;

Noon - Sacramento Taiko Dan 

Sacramento’s premiere Japanese drumming

ensemble founded in 1989 comprised of renowned drummers and quality drums.

Outdoor Stage

1:00pm -  Japanese Classical Dance (Buyo) 

Students of Senkinoh Nishikawa will

perform Japanese classical dance.

Main Chapel

2:00pm - Sakura Minyo Do Ko Kai

(Japanese Folk Song & Dance Society)  A team

of dancers and singers perform  both traditional and modern Japanese folk  music

and dances.

Outdoor Stage

2:30pm -  Fujimoto Ryu Shamisen Concert

Mrs. Hide Shizume Shachu (students) will

entertain using shamisen instrument.

Main Chapel

3:30 pm - Koto Solo
Daishihan Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto and son Brian Wong, of Oakland will perform on
Koto.

Main Chapel

5:00 pm -  Introduction to Chapel

Buddhist Altar and Introduction of Buddhist philosophy by Rinban Bob Oshita.

Main Chapel

 

Exhibits on Display
•    Ikebana    (floral    art)    Display:     
      by    members    of     Ikenobo    Ikebana    School    and    students    of     Molly    Kimura,    Kaikan    Hall
•   Japanese    Doll    Craft    Display    (Mataro    Kimekomi    Doll):
     Instructor    Masanori    (Isako)    Wasano    of     Campbell,    California,    and    her    students,    Main    Chapel
•    Shodo    Display:
     Japanese    calligraphy    by    Etsuko    Wakayama    and    students,    Main    Chapel,    back    room

The 63rd annual Sacramento Buddhist Church Bazaar is held at 2401 Riverside Blvd, Sacramento. It is open noon until 9pm Sunday, August 9th.

Proceeds from the Japanese Food and Cultural Bazaar support the Sacramento Buddhist Church and its affiliated organizations such as youth sports programs, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, youth groups, adult and senior groups, the Japanese language school and many other church activities within the community.

FREE PARKING between 7th & 8th, under the freeway, with FREE SHUTTLE!

Photos | Kati Garner