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About the Cherry Blossom Festival

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Pawtucket | Central Falls | Woonsocket | Introduction | Message from Bob Billington

3:00 pm - Hachiko Place, One Depot Square,
Woonsocket, Rhode Island, USA

Welcome: Robert Billington, Ph.D., President, Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Inc.

Presenters

  • The Honorable Mr. Takeshi Hikihara, Consul General of Japan in Boston
  • The Honorable Leo Fontaine, Mayor of Woonsocket
  • Mr.Koichi Hoshino, Vice President, Hachiko Maintenance Committee
  • A Message from the Mayor of Shibuya, Japan
  • Jan Reitsma, Executive Director, National Heritage Corridor Commission
  • Steven Feinberg, Director of Rhode Island Film Commission
  • Kara Fulginiti, Rhode Island Cherry Blossom Festival Princess, 2012
  • Michael Hebert, Supervising Historic Preservation Specialist & Archaeologist, RI DOT
  • Scott Morris, Washington, DC Cherry Blossom Festival
  • Robert Pilkington, Ed.D. Superintendent, RI Nurses Institute Middle College, & Beacon Charter High School for the Arts

Ceremony

  • Odaiko New England Performance
  • Cherry Tree Planting
  • Hachiko Monument Unveiling

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the nation of Japan’s donation of 3000 Cherry Blossom Trees to the Capital City of the United States of America. Today we renew the friendship expressed at that time with a new commitment of friendship and appreciation of mutual cultures.

These young saplings are of the same variety as those planted in the Tidal Basin in Washington DC in 1912. They are presented by the government of Japan to the City of Woonsocket in deep appreciation for the aid and assistance given to Japan during the 2011 Tohoku earthquake.

Refreshments served by the Students of Beacon Charter High School for the Arts

Acknowledgements

Hachiko Monument Installation Committee

  • Chris Beauchamp, Superintendent, Narragansett Improvement Company
  • Robert Billington, President, Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
  • Dan Clarke, RI Department of Transportation, Asset Protection
  • Barbara Dixon, Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission
  • Mayor Leo Fontaine, City of Woonsocket
  • Tina Go, Director of Admissions & Family Engagement, Beacon Charter High School
  • Michael Hebert, Supervising Historic Preservation Specialist/Archaeologist, RI DOT
  • Robert Pilkington, Ed.D, Superintendent, RI Nurses Institute Middle College, Beacon
  • Charter High School for the Arts
  • Linda Plays, Woonsocket City Planner
  • Jan H. Reitsma, Executive Director, Blackstone Valley National Heritage
  • Corridor Commission
  • Dr. Michael Skeldon, Beacon Charter High School for the Arts
    & Beacon Charter High School for the Arts
  • Charles St. Martin, Chief of Information and Public Relations, RI DOT
  • Matt Wojcik, Economic Development Director, City of Woonsocket,
  • Geraldine Barclay-King, Student, Johnson & Wales University
Installation of the Hachiko Monument made possible by:
  • Beacon Charter High School for the Arts
  • Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission
  • Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
  • City of Woonsocket
  • Rhode Island Department of Transportation
  • NRI Stones

Pawtucket | Central Falls | Woonsocket | Introduction | Message from Bob Billington

Download full program (PDF)

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Blackstone Valley Tourism Council  175 Main St.  Pawtucket, RI  02860  401-724-2200  1-800-454-BVTC (2882)  Fax: 401-724-1342 info@richerryblossomfestival.com