(BIVN) – The Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival is right around the corner.

The Hawaiʻi County Council recently approved a resolution to provide $1,500 dollars from councilman Tim Richards’ contingency relief account to support the event, which is set for February 2.

Councilmember Richards said the resolution was a repeat of what he has done previously. “Last year [the festival] was a resounding success, I think they estimated over 15,000 people attended it through-out the day,” Richards said. “The funding is for their souvenir booklet.”

“Its a great event for the community and for the county as a whole,” Richards added, before the council voted in support of the measure. 

From the festival organizers:

The 26th anniversary of the Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival has a full lineup of free, multi-cultural performing arts and hands-on demonstrations, plus over 150 crafters and food booths 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2.

Festivities are at various venues sprawling through the town’s center—look for pink banners identifying site locations.

Festival parking is available at Parker Ranch Center, the soccer field across Church Row Park and along Pukalani Street. Festival shuttles offer free transportation among most venues 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. by Roberts Hawaii, though walking is encouraged among venues.  A map of the shuttle route and festival venues is available in a detailed festival program available at each venue location on February 2.

Organized by members of the upcountry community and the county’s department of parks and recreation, the festival marks the blooming of the historic cherry trees at Church Row Park and celebrates the age-old Japanese tradition of hanami, which translates to “cherry blossom viewing party.” After a seasonal winter chill, the trees typically are blooming in early February.

The 2019 event artwork is “Kamuela Hongwanji in Springtime” by Waimea artist Ilmar Reinvald. His oil painting has been reproduced on a limited number of festival collector posters at the Waimea Arts Council’s Firehouse Gallery. The $10 posters will be for sale during the festival.