Santa Maria Times Staff Report -Updated Aug 24, 2023
https://santamariatimes.com/news/local/guadalupe-buddhist-church-honors-ancestors-with-annual-obon-festival/article_243e7f2b-23e0-5467-8228-65b4e2d66844.html?mode=nowapp#14
The Guadalupe Buddhist Church held its annual Obon festival Sunday.
Obon festivals are held around the world to honor “ancestors who have shared their compassion and wisdom with us,” according to the Guadalupe Buddhist Church.
Obon has been celebrated in Japan for over 500 years and usually includes a dance, known as Bon Odori.
Sunday’s event, which started at noon, was held in Santa Maria at the Minami Community Center on Enos Drive and ended at 6 p.m.
The Guadalupe festival has been held annually since members of the Japanese-American community returned to the area after World War II. The event was canceled for two years during the coronavirus pandemic.
The church also offered chicken dinners for purchase and a raffle, with the top prize of $1,500, was also held.
There were additional raffle prizes, food and goods for purchase on site at the Minami Center.
Hundreds celebrate annual Obon Festival at Minami Center in Santa Maria | Photos
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Ichimi Daiko of the San Luis Obispo Buddhist Temple perform Japanese traditional drumming Sunday outside the Minami Community Center during the 2023 Obon Festival in Santa Maria.
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Costumed participants pose for a photo Sunday inside the Minami Community Center during the 2023 Obon Festival in Santa Maria.
Community members gather to participate in the Bon Odori, a traditional Japanese dance, that closed the Obon Festival Sunday outside the Minami Center in Santa Maria.
A variety of Japanese collectibles were on sale Sunday afternoon at the Obon Festival presented by the Guadalupe Buddhist Church at the Minami Community Center in Santa Maria.
The Bon Odori, a traditional Japanese dance, was performed to close the Obon Festival held Sunday outside the Minami Community Center in Santa Maria.
Community members receive face painting Sunday during the annual Obon Festival inside the Minami Community Center in Santa Maria.
Students from the Central Coast Kenpo Karate of Nipomo demonstrate the skills they’ve learned during the annual Obon Festival outside the Minami Center in Santa Maria.
Traditional Japanese Bonsai trees were on display Sunday inside the Minami Community Center during the annual Obon Festival in Santa Maria.
Community members arrive Sunday at the Minami Community Center to attend the 2023 Obon Festival in Santa Maria.
A variety of Japanese collectibles were up for bid during a silent auction Sunday during the annual Obon Festival at the Minami Community Center in Santa Maria.
Ichimi Daiko of the San Luis Obispo Buddhist Temple perform Japanese traditional drumming Sunday outside the Minami Community Center during the 2023 Obon Festival in Santa Maria.
Community members attend the 2023 Obon Festival Sunday outside the Minami Community Center in Santa Maria.
Community members receive Japanese style food Sunday during the annual Obon Festival Sunday at the Minami Center in Santa Maria.
Costumed participants celebrate the annual Obon Festival Sunday outside the Minami Center in Santa Maria.
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