10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., at Fisher Pavilion and Lawn.

The 34^th annual Festival focuses on “Centuries in Space: Princess Kaguya to Moon Satellite Kaguya.” Delicious Japanese food, tea ceremony demonstrations, traditional dances and music and artwork present both a modern and ancient view of this complex culture.

Special guests and activities this year include:

• A retelling of Japan's oldest folk tale, Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, about a beautiful princess from the moon named Princess Kaguya; and a cultural and technological look through exhibits and films of Kaguya.
• Special lectures on the success of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Japan's artistic love of the Moon, and Japanese environment and recycling technology.
• Origami Plane Contest.
• Participant construction (using 800 paper cups) and launch of a 17-foot model rocket that sent the Kaguya Satellite into space.
• Go tournament and lessons for all ages.
• Kids Access including origami and kite making/flying and Japanese language lessons.
• Children and adults kimono dress up.
• Cherry Blossom Gyudon (beef bowl), Obento Box, and sweets. 

The festival commemorates Japan's gift of 1,000 blossoming cherry trees to Seattle in 1976. The trees were planted along Lake Washington Boulevard, in Seward Park and other places around the city.

Did you know? President of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's Global Health Program Dr. Tadataka Yamada, born in Japan and educated in the United States, oversees a grant portfolio totaling $6 billion in programs that apply technologies to major health challenges including TB, HIV, malaria and other infectious diseases, malnutrition, child health, and global health advocacy. A scientist and scholar in gastroenterology, Dr. Yamada has authored more than 150 original manuscripts on the subject, is the editor of “The Textbook of Gastroenterology,” and has served in corporate, non-profit and academic leadership positions.

Join us at Safeco Insurance Festál 2009 and become a culture carrier (someone who contributes to cultural understanding through the sharing of stories, songs, music, food and family traditions). This festival is produced by Seattle Center in partnership with the Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival Committee. For more information on Safeco Insurance Festál and other Seattle Center programming, click on www.seattlecenter.com.