By Brett Callwood
The Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute (GVJCI) has announced that it will be hosting its Annual Matsuri on Saturday, June 27, and the group’s largest annual fundraiser is celebrating its 76th anniversary.
“The GVJCI Matsuri has always been a festive time when our member organizations and supporters gather to volunteer, enjoy food, entertainment, games, and community, and raise funds to support the GVJCI,” they say. “It is one of the year’s highlights we look forward to each June. It is 100% volunteer-run by our GVJCI Member Organizations and our Community Friends with all proceeds benefiting the GVJCI programs, services, and facilities where all our organizations and community members call their home.”
Attendees can look forward to delicious food, games, bingo, a beer garden, raffles, a plant sale, a white elephant sale, and a craft sale.
“The GVJCI Matsuri Fundraiser is a South Bay Tradition enjoyed by many generations,” the GVJCI adds. “As the GVJCI’s largest annual fundraiser, we invite you, your family, friends, and neighbors to enjoy this fun family day. Everyone is welcome! We thank our volunteers, member organizations, sponsors, board members, staff, and attendees for the GVJCI Matsuri Fundraiser’s continued success! Food & Game Booths – GVJCI Member Organizations and classes that are housed at the GVJCI lend their volunteer support to run all of our booths, including fun games such as Bingo, or our ever-popular Pitch ‘Til U Win, or cooking/selling tasty food like Chicken Teriyaki, Hot Dogs, Chili Dogs, Spam Musubi, our famous Shaved Ice and Okinawa Andagi—Imagawayaki is back, and more!”
There will also be martial arts demonstrations, including Naginata (pole weapon with single blade), Gardena Judo Club, Kendo, Aikido, and Kyudo Renmei (Japanese Archery).
The outdoor plant sale will support nurseries, and see local plant enthusiasts donate “beautiful plants from their businesses and backyards for our Matsuri. Nursery experts also volunteer their time at the booth to answer your most intricate questions about growing and maintaining your new plants!”
The beer garden will feature local craft brewery Smog City’s Kampai! from Torrance West Coast IPA, Sapporo Premium Light Beer, Sapporo Non-Alcohol Beer, Asahi Beer, and Budweiser.”
For those looking to learn, visit the Japanese Cultural Heritage Library and their educational Tokonoma Display. Feel free to inquire about the Japanese Language School. “Pay a visit and receive the information you need to enroll in the upcoming fall session,” they say. “Learn about Community Emergency Response, and visit the Tomo No Kai Art and Ikebana Class’ display.”
The Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute (GVJCI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable
organization, Federal Taxpayer ID: 95-6197597. For more information, visit jci-gardena.org.
