Reporter staff

Auburn residents can explore Odon dancing, Taiko drumming and other Japanese cultural traditions at 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 to 9 p.m., features group performances, traditional dances, music and cuisine.

Saturday’s schedule

• 4 p.m. – booths open; Eisa demonstration by Okinawa Kenjin-Kai
• 5 p.m. – children’s parade
• 5:30 p.m. – Bon service officiated by the Rev. Koshin Ogui
• 6 p.m. – Greeting messages by dignitaries
• 6:15 p.m. – Odori dancing
• 7:30 p.m. – intermission, Matsuri Taiko Drum Group performance
• 8-9 p.m. – Odori dancing

For more information, visit www.whiteriverbuddhisttemple.org.