2008 Woodie Awards
Japanese Club springs into action
Rachael Jennings
Issue date: 5/8/08 Section: Features
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Traditionally, the College has celebrated Yuki Matsuri - a Japanese winter festival - but after taking part in the annual Haru Matsuri at St. Michael's College the previous year, the Japanese Club (with the help of the Japanese Department, Japanese House and Wonnacot Commons) decided to bring the cultural merriment to the campus and it proved a great success.
With over $800 of catered sushi, face-painting booths, calligraphy, anime, karate and Aikido demonstrations, Japanese food and a tea-tasting station, the slightly dismal weather did not damper the excitement of the celebration, which was attended by a large crowd.
"We had the students as well as faculty from the Japanese, English and Theatre Departments come with their children," said Christine Chung '10, a key planner of the festival. "The event was opened to the community, so some members of the community brought their children wearing cute Japanese clothing. We had various students come, and not just from our club membership."
The attendees were fortunate to take part in some of the added features to the format of Middlebury's Japanese Winter Festival. To begin with, the idea to hold the event outside was not part of the original plan - the event scheduled to be held inside Coffrin Lounge.
Furthermore, groups from outside the campus were brought in - the Taiko Drumming Group from Burlington provided wonderful rhythms and extra flavor to the spirited event. Also, a Soba - a Japanese buckwheat noodle - eating contest brought much amusement.
"I was very pleased with the turnout, all the booths and how the board members and other volunteers cooperated and helped out in terms of preparation, and during the event itself," said JeeYeon Park '08, one vital member in the planning and execution of the event.
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