August 14, 2009
Little Tokyo Inaugural Tanabata Festival Opening Ceremony
Photography by Chris Ohama

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On Friday, August 14, 2009, L.A. County Supervisor Gloria Molina attended Los Angeles’ Inaugural celebration of the Japanese traditional Tanabata festival at the Geffen Contemporary Art Museum in Little Tokyo. Sup. Molina provided brief celebratory comments and presented county scrolls to the Tanabata Festival Committee led by festival Chairman Brian Kito. The Tanabata Festival, also known as the "star festival,” will feature over 200 handmade ornamental hangings made by local Japanese-American organizations and churches, including one made by First District staff and Congressmember Roybal-Allard’s staff. Sup. Molina thanked the festival committee members which included the Little Tokyo Public Safety Association, the Nisei Week Foundation, the Historic and Cultural Neighborhood Council, and the Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai. Other attendees included the Consul General of Japan Junichi Ihara, L.A. City Councilmember Jan Perry, and Mistresses of Ceremonies Tamlyn Tomita and Yuko Kaifu. Back to gallery