Bon Odori Festival returns to Auburn on July 23

Hundreds of Auburn residents can explore Odon dancing, Taiko drumming and other Japanese cultural traditions at next Saturday's Bon Odori Festival at the White River Buddhist Temple, 3625 Auburn Way N.

July 15, 2011 2:13 pm
The Seattle Matsuri Taiko Drumming Group returns to perform at this year's Bon Odori Festival in Auburn.
The Seattle Matsuri Taiko Drumming Group returns to perform at this year's Bon Odori Festival in Auburn.

Hundreds of Auburn residents can explore Odon dancing, Taiko drumming and other Japanese cultural traditions at next Saturday’s Bon Odori Festival at the White River Buddhist Temple, 3625 Auburn Way N.

The annual festival celebrates the mid-summer holiday of Obon, a time for Buddhists to honor their ancestors and Japanese heritage.

The festival, which runs from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. on July 23, features group performances, traditional dances, music and cuisine.

Food booth sales open at 4:30 p.m.

July 23 schedule

• Okinawa Kenjin-Kai Taiko Group performance (4:30-5:15 p.m.)

• Short opening service inside the temple (5:45)

• Greetings and introductions, and children lantern parade led by a Shishi Mai (6-6:15)

• Traditional Odori dancing (6:20-9:30 p.m.)

• Seattle Matsuri Taiko Drum Group performance (7:30).

For more information, visit www.whiteriverbuddhisttemple.org.