The Japan Fall Festival is a free celebration of Japanese culture that will be held on Sunday, October 17, 2021 at Webster Walk in Blue Back Square, 3:00-5:00 PM.

The main event is at 4:30PM featuring the powerful drumming performance by Soh Daiko of New York. The Japan Fall Festival will also feature Shishimai (traditional lion dancing) by Steve Long and Akiko Hiratsuka, a Koto performance by Garrett Groesbeck, Japanese Folk Tales by Noriko Oshiro, and culminating with the Taiko performance.

The Japan Society of Greater Hartford will have Japanese crafts and items for sale.

“The pandemic interrupted our summer festival so we moved it to the fall.  The timing coincides with Japan’s Chrysanthemum Festival, which dates back to 1890. Its Japan’s oldest festival dedicated to this symbolic fall flower,” said Peter Watson, president of Japan Society of Greater Hartford.

“The Japan Fall Festival is an opportunity for the community to enjoy rich Japanese culture and music in a safe, outdoor environment,” Watson said.

Sponsors of this event include the Japanese Consulate General of Boston, Miyoshi America, Kooma Massage Therapy and Soutaihou.

For more information, contact Peter Watson of the Japan Society of Greater Hartford at contact@jsofgh.org or Renee McCue, public relations specialist, Town of West Hartford, 860-561-7521.