Mr. Cherry Blossom 2007

"The Cherry Blossom Festival has been held annually in San Francisco since 1967. It started as a community event in response to the redevelopment of Japantown in the 1960s when rundown Victorian residences were replaced with modern buildings. The festival takes place over two weekends in April and showcases many Japanese arts such as classical dance, Taiko drumming, tea ceremonies, calligraphy, marital arts, Ikebana flower arrangement, and bonsai. The festival also represents more modern aspects of Japanese-American culture and has a beauty pagent and a grand parade which contains a sizeable contingent of anime fans wearing costumes of their favorite characters." (text from http://bayimages.net/san-francisco/cherry-blossom-festival )

For additional information about the San Francisco Cherry Blossom Festival, please visit their web site at: http://www.nccbf.org

In 1990, Golden Gate Guard Jason Fontaine began an event known as "Mr. Cherry Blossom".  Jason has either hosted or helped host this annual event for the past 17 years.  On Sunday, April 22 this tradition continued with Jeff Minster being named "Mr. Cherry Blossom 2007".  Pictured at the right, Jeff received his floral wreath and title from Al Aden, "Mr. Cherry Blossom 2006".  Jeff is also the 2007 Golden Gate Guards Vice-President and organizer of the 35th Annual Golden Dildeaux Awards.

About a dozen Golden Gate Guard members and friends then enjoyed lunch and socializing after watching the Cherry Blossom parade.  Pictures of the event are courtesy of Lou Grosso.