Aki Matsuri Japanese Festival

Outline

Originated in 2010 as a neighborhood outreach event & to welcome runners from Japan competing in Las Vegas Marathon. Showcase Japanese art, music, food, both traditional & contemporary. 2019 attendance exceeded 30,000 at MGM venue located on The Strip, Las Vegas. 2020 held “virtual festival” due to COVID. 2021 & 2022 co-sponsored by City of Henderson. Featured activities: stage performances of Japanese traditional & pop music, dance, vocals; martial arts demonstrations; interactive Ikebana, sumi-e, origami workshops, haiku exhibit; kid’s games; sake & food pairing/tasting (for a fee)

 Free admission to festival; small fee to participate in some activities (a few dollars)

Admission fee (age 21+) to Sake Pavilion

Vendors offer food, beverages & retail items for sale

Focus on “traditional” Japanese festival foods

Number of Booths

40-50
Most vendors are local, but a few have traveled from California, Arizona & Utah

Recruit Information

Previous sponsors: MGM Japan & MGM Resorts International; Toto USA; Japan Foundation Los Angeles

Current sponsors: City of Henderson; Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco

All volunteer board & team contact performers; most are local from NV, out of state from California, Arizona & Utah; Performers from Japan are volunteers & pay their own way; recorded performances accepted for 2020 & 2021 due to COVID restrictions for Japanese to travel here.