PLACERVILLE- The Sacramento Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League and the American River Conservancy are co-sponsoring the Wakamatsu Festival on Saturday, May 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The festival features traditional Japanese cultural and performing arts and Japanese food.

The event takes place at 941 Cold Springs Road, Placerville, site of the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Colony Farm. Established in 1869 and widely believed to be the first permanent Japanese colony in the continental United States, the 272-acre ranch was recently acquired by the American River Conservancy to preserve the cultural and natural resources of the site.

The festival features celebrity chef Taro Arai from Mikuni’s, who will take part in a sushi demonstration and offer a buffet of sushi plates. Other appearances include Harunaka Hoshino, with his traditional samurai sword (Temeshi-giri) and Ken-kitsu martial art demonstration. The Placer Ume Taiko Drummers, the Tomodachi Dance Group, sake tasting, bonsai, pottery, Japanese calligraphy, origami, and Koto music by the artist Naoko are also on the schedule of events.

Advance ticket prices are $15 for adults, $7 for youth, age 10 – 18, with children under 10 free. Purchase tickets online in advance, www.arconservancy.org. Adult tickets increase to $20 the day of the event. Food and drink tickets sold separately. Proceeds support the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Colony Farm project. This is a family-friendly event. For details, visit www.arconservancy.org/wakamatsufestival.

For more than 20 years, the American River Conservancy (ARC) has been preserving rivers and land for life. As a non-profit, community organization, the American River Conservancy provides outdoor science, natural and cultural history programs to school groups throughout California. Extensive public programs and volunteer projects are also offered throughout the American and Cosumnes River watersheds. For trail maps and additional information about programs visit www.arconservancy.org.