Submitted
The City of Nelson and the Nelson Izu-shi Friendship Society will welcome a multigenerational delegation of nine members from our sister city of Izu-shi, Japan, over the B.C. Day long weekend.
The community group of six arrives on Friday, while the Mayor’s group of three is here Sunday.
With support from the EcoSociety, one of the first events will be a display of products from the Izu-shi area at the Saturday Community Market at Cottonwood Falls Park. We invite market-goers to stop at the Izu-shi booth Saturday morning, say “Hello” or “Konnichi wa,” and taste some special treats from Japan.
The Friendship Society will be hosting an Obon Welcoming Picnic at Lakeside Park at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday for the delegates, host families, and friends of the sister-city relationship. This is a perfect opportunity for former host families and people who have taken part in exchange visits over the past 30 years to come and meet some old and new friends from Izu-shi.
In Japan, Obon is a special time for families in the summer. For us, it will be a time to reconnect with our sister city family, visit over dinner, enjoy a summer song, and learn traditional Bon dances.
Please contact the society if you wish to attend. (This is a picnic, not a pot luck, please bring your own supper for yourself and your family.)
During their visit, the delegation members will also have tours of Nelson, make a visit to New Denver, meet community groups, visit City Hall and Touchstones, enjoy a Canadian summer barbecue, check out the Skateboard Park and Morning Mountain cycling area, discuss our plans for the future, and experience some of our local culture and popular activities. While this is the first visit to Nelson for some, three members are making return visits. We are looking forward to welcoming all of them to our community.
The sister-city relationship between Nelson and Izu-shi was formed in 1987. Since then, many friendships have been made among the people of our twinned communities. In honour of this history, we will be hosting a special 30th anniversary celebration on Monday from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Friendship Garden in Cottonwood Falls Park.
We invite members of the public, our supporters, and special guests to join us to welcome our visitors, enjoy some multicultural entertainment, and take part in the official opening of the new Friendship Gate on the west side of the Cottonwood Creek footbridge. Refreshments and cake will be served.
Our delegation visitors will depart on Wednesday, Aug. 9. For more information, contact us at nelsonizushi@gmail.com or check our website www.nelsonizushi.com.