Photo Editor
CSU Bakersfield Japan and Beyond Club brought over 500 students and community members to their annual free event at the Student Recreation Center on May 20 to promote the Asian culture as part of CSUB ‘s diversity week.
The event took place at the SRC gym, which was decorated with Chinese lanterns as part of the experience of Japanese Night Festival.
“I like how it was free to everyone, which I appreciate,” said CSUB student Precious Nwaoha.
The Japanese Night Festival event included entertainment by CSUB singers, CSUB Judo Club, Bakersfield Budo, and LA Takio. It offered activities such as making origami, fortune telling, Japanese calligraphy, cosplay contest as well as games such as fish frenzy, hanetsuki, and the chopstick game.
Nwaoha added that she enjoyed the entertainment of LA Takio.
Japan and Beyond Club partnered with CSUB gamers to provide video games to play. They held a silent auction and raffle that presented winners with prizes that were provided by the club. The event had outside vendors selling merchandise based on pop culture such as key chains, lanyards, charms, action figures, Japanese culture snacks and more. They served sushi, yakisoba, gyoza, chicken teriyaki and mixed vegetables.
“I went not knowing what to expect, but I thought it was really cool and interesting,” said biology major Lesly Chavez.
Representatives Samantha Patterson and Cristina Garza from Bakersfield anime picnic pose for a photo at the Japanese Night Festival on Friday, May 20 at the Student Recreation Center.
The walls of the Summer Matsuri were lined with vendor booths in the Student Recreation Center on May 20.
High school volunteer Maggie Frost getting help to get up at the Japanese Night Festival after some sumo fighting on Friday, May 20 at the Student Recreation Center.
A Sith barters with a vendor at the Matsuri event in the Student Recreation Center on May 20.
