Aki Matsuri Fall Festival 2024
Co-chairs Pam Urauchi, Rob Hikido, Kiyomi Yanai
Wesley United Methodist’s Aki Matsuri Fall Festival was held October 5, 2024 for the first time in five years. From its inception as far back as the 1930s, Wesley’s Aki Matsuri has always been a festival of fellowship and community engagement. This year’s festival was no different as a team of generous and dedicated organizers from all parts of our congregation came together to host a celebration of Wesley’s welcoming spirit and reconnect with our community.
The event was co-chaired by 3 adventurers, Rob Hikido, Kiyomi Yanai, and Pam Urauchi. After a five-year Aki Matsuri hiatus, it was a challenge to re-create the Aki experience those three recalled. Luckily Wesley’s congregational memory and experience is deep, and our fellow congregants are generous and willing to help. The most invaluable help came from Shelley Nakashima. She is an Aki Matsuri guru.
The Aki Matsuri 2024 event included fun activities for kids, and an outstanding schedule of performers including the Chidori Band, Wesley Ukulele Band, Wesley Jazz Ensemble, COSMO Silicon Valley Community Chorus, and San Jose Taiko. The marketplace featured Aki Gardens and Aki Treasures, and an impressive menu included Chicken Teriyaki, Cabbage Chicken Salad, Fried Tofu Salad, Spam Musubi, Manju, Furikake Chex Mix, Strawberry Shortcake, and Aki Dogs.
We hosted a good-sized crowd on one of the hottest days of the summer in San Jose. The day was a fund-raising success, that left us rich in memories of teamwork, tradition and fellowship.
Wesley United Methodist’s Aki Matsuri Fall Festival was held October 5, 2024 for the first time in five years. From its inception as far back as the 1930s, Wesley’s Aki Matsuri has always been a festival of fellowship and community engagement. This year’s festival was no different as a team of generous and dedicated organizers from all parts of our congregation came together to host a celebration of Wesley’s welcoming spirit and reconnect with our community.
The event was co-chaired by 3 adventurers, Rob Hikido, Kiyomi Yanai, and Pam Urauchi. After a five-year Aki Matsuri hiatus, it was a challenge to re-create the Aki experience those three recalled. Luckily Wesley’s congregational memory and experience is deep, and our fellow congregants are generous and willing to help. The most invaluable help came from Shelley Nakashima. She is an Aki Matsuri guru.
The Aki Matsuri 2024 event included fun activities for kids, and an outstanding schedule of performers including the Chidori Band, Wesley Ukulele Band, Wesley Jazz Ensemble, COSMO Silicon Valley Community Chorus, and San Jose Taiko. The marketplace featured Aki Gardens and Aki Treasures, and an impressive menu included Chicken Teriyaki, Cabbage Chicken Salad, Fried Tofu Salad, Spam Musubi, Manju, Furikake Chex Mix, Strawberry Shortcake, and Aki Dogs.
We hosted a good-sized crowd on one of the hottest days of the summer in San Jose. The day was a fund-raising success, that left us rich in memories of teamwork, tradition and fellowship.
Posted in Newsletter 2024-10-17