About This Festival

The Fort Wayne Cherry Blossom Festival is a vibrant annual event celebrating Japanese culture, held in 2025 on Sunday, May 18, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Walb Student Union and surrounding locations on the Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) campus. Admission is free, and the event is handicapped accessible.

The festival has its roots dating back to the 1980s and became part of Fort Wayne's cultural calendar officially in 2007. It moved from downtown Fort Wayne to PFW’s campus three years ago to accommodate its growth; now it stretches across multiple campus venues, including areas near the Gates Sports Center, with over 600 acres available, allowing more attendees and expanded activities.

The atmosphere is festive and family-friendly, with a strong focus on Japanese cultural education and entertainment. The vibe is energetic and cultural, featuring both traditional and modern Japanese cultural expressions. For many attendees, it is a lively community gathering exhibiting respect and enthusiasm for Japanese heritage.

Activities and Highlights Include:

  • Music and Dance Performances: Traditional taiko drumming by Fort Wayne Taiko, Japanese folk dance, Japanese trumpet and violin music, and featured groups like the Miyabi Koto and Shamisen Ensemble from New York. Performances take place in the International Ballroom at Walb, the Gallery, the Plaza, and lower auditorium.

  • Martial Arts Demonstrations: Action-packed displays of Japanese martial arts provide dynamic entertainment.

  • Traditional Cultural Displays and Demonstrations: Including the Japanese tea ceremony, bonsai tree exhibits, origami, kimono try-ons, samurai demonstrations, kendama skill demonstrations, and haiku contests.

  • Anime and Cosplay Contests: Popular modern cultural elements with dedicated competitions and activities.

  • Family and Children’s Activities: Hands-on crafts, games, and educational activities specifically designed for kids, free of charge.

  • Marketplace: Vendors offer authentic Japanese merchandise, such as kimonos, bonsai, books, comics, specialty imports, and other Japanese-style crafts and souvenirs.

  • Food: Sampling of Japanese cuisine including sushi, curry, yakisoba, and other traditional delicacies.

  • KaDON Workshops (May 16–18): An intensive workshop program featuring drummers and performers like Kaoly Asano from Tokyo and Emily Harada, offering practice sessions and community building for festival performers.

Typical Schedule Outline:

  • 12:00 PM: Festival opens with Fort Wayne Taiko’s drum call and opening ceremony in the International Ballroom, Walb Student Union.
  • 12:30 PM – 6:00 PM: Continuous performances on multiple stages (Indoor and Outdoor), martial arts demonstrations, cosplay and anime contest times interspersed.
  • Throughout the afternoon: Marketplace and vendor booths open, hands-on children’s activities in the library’s Children’s Services department.
  • 6:00 PM: Closing performances including special concerts such as the Miyabi Ensemble or other featured artists.

History and Founding:

The festival's origins trace to the 1980s with community-driven celebrations of Japanese culture and blossomed into an official festival in Fort Wayne by 2007. Expansion necessitated a move from downtown to the sprawling PFW campus in 2022, greatly enhancing capacity and variety of activities.

The festival is organized under the Japanese American Association of Indiana and works closely with Purdue University Fort Wayne. Board members and university leaders, such as Glen Nakata (PFW Vice Chancellor and festival board member), have noted significant community growth and enthusiasm for the cultural and educational importance of the event.

Together, these elements make the Fort Wayne Cherry Blossom Festival a rich, immersive cultural experience, blending traditional Japanese arts with popular and contemporary culture in a welcoming community environment.