JSFC is cosponsoring a Cherry Blossom Picnic with ASCENDCTW at Mill River Park in Stamford, on Sunday, April 13 from 12 to 2:30pm. ASCEND CTW is the CT/Westchester chapter of Ascend, the largest non-profit Pan-Asian membership organization for business professionals in North America. We have rented the area outlined in red in the bird’s eye view of the park.(The location in the park is different from last year). This event and the park are open to all. Ascend will provide picnic food for their members. JSFC and our guests are welcome to eat at their table for $20 per person; if you wish to do that, please use this registration link www.ascendctw.org/cherry-blossom-picnic-april  (“Member” on the registration page refers to ASCEND member, so chose “Non-member” there) Alternatively, JSFC members and guests can BYO picnic. JSFC Corporate supporter Maruichi Select Japanese market has a selection of takeout bento at 191 Summer St, one block away from the park, so you may wish to buy your lunch there, or at their other location at 1980 W Main St, Shop Rite Plaza. In that case you need not register, but we’d appreciate it if you email info@japansocietyfc.org to let us know you are coming.

After lunch, children and parents can enjoy a carousel ride inside the park, on the opposite side of our picnic site (across the river). Feel free to bring blankets, lawn chairs etc.  You can park free on the street, or in the nearby Target Mall, UConn parking lot.

Mr. Nori Ishikawa played shakuhachi at the 2024 picnic, and is coming again this year. He teaches Blues Harmonica, Drums, Saxophone and Shakuhachi in English or Japanese. You can read about about his Aun Music School HERE.