MEDIA RELEASE

Community organizations join forces to “paint the town pink” Saturday, Feb. 1 for the 2014 Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival. The 21st annual event showcases the blooming of Waimea’s historic cherry trees and the Japanese tradition of viewing them — hanami.

Held traditionally the first Saturday of February, the festival includes a variety of activities 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at multiple venues throughout Waimea. Look for pink banners identifying site locations sprawling from the Parker Ranch Center on Mamalahoa Highway 190 to the Hawaiian Homestead Farmer’s Market on Highway 19.

Spend the day to experience an all-day lineup of Japanese and multi-cultural performing arts, plus hands-on demonstrations of bonsai, origami, traditional tea ceremony, fun mochi pounding and a host of colorful craft fairs.

Enjoy free shuttle transportation among most venues.

For further information, call 961-8706.