Council approves Kamome Festival plans, waives Cultural Center fee and allocates $4,500 from sister-city budget

The Crescent City Council voted Monday to waive the prorated rental fee for the Cultural Center for the Taste of Japan event on April 12 and to use approximately $4,500 from the existing sister-city budget to cover city expenses for the multi-day Kamome Festival. The council also approved launching the festival website and beginning marketing.

City staff described the festival as a weeklong series of events that celebrate the city’s sister-city relationship with Taketa, Japan, with activities including in-school cultural and emergency-preparedness programs for third- and fifth-graders, a cardboard boat race at the Fred Ender Pool, a taiko drum workshop, a tea ceremony demonstration, a free anime screening for students, and a paid “Taste of Japan” event featuring sake and locally sourced food offerings.

Staff said the festival is intended both to highlight cultural exchange and serve as a shoulder-season event to bring visitors to the city. Economic development staff and volunteer organizers have worked with schools, the Japan Club, Redwood Parks Conservancy and local businesses on the schedule and logistics.

The motion approved by the council directed staff to waive the prorated Cultural Center rental fee on the evening of April 12 for the Taste of Japan event hosted by the Kamome Foundation, use the sister-city budget to cover estimated festival costs of about $4,500, and launch the festival website and marketing. The council vote was recorded as unanimous: Council member Dooley — yes; Council member Greenough — yes; Council member Tinkler — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Wright — yes; Mayor Altman — yes.

Staff emphasized that most festival components are free to residents, with some ticketed/paid elements for the Taste of Japan event and that the anime screening may be funded by private sponsors and reimbursements to the city for theater costs.