A Grand Exit

Ed Fuentes

Ed Fuentes

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Little Tokyo's Frances Hashimoto (owner of Mikawaya Bakery and Ice Cream) leads Councilmember Jan Perry, Nisei Week volunteer organizer (and actor) Rodney Kageyama, and LAPD Commander Terry Hara in the ritual dance of the Ondo, the event that closes the Nisei Week Japanese Festival.

While taking photos of the more experienced dancers, it was learned that the debut of the Nebuta float, while successful, may not happen again next year due to the cost of shipping the float to the U.S.

That's unfortunate. The dwindling space in Little Tokyo kept the Tofu Festival from holding a concert that was always a good draw, but the Grand Parade's first nighttime run in decades seemed to be a complete success. Given the numbers that lined the streets last weekend, it would seem that the visiting Nebuta tradition is something that needs to happen again.

Photo:EF