2024 Labor Day Parade

This year’s Labor Day parade in Bloomington-Normal was a vibrant celebration of community spirit, and the Bloomington-Normal/Asahikawa Sister Cities program was thrilled to be a part of it! As the parade marched through town, our enthusiastic committee members proudly represented the cultural exchange between Bloomington-Normal and Asahikawa, Japan.

One of the highlights of our participation was handing out Hi-Chew, the popular Japanese candy known for its chewy texture and delightful fruit flavors. It was a sweet way to introduce our neighbors to a taste of Japanese culture and to share a little piece of Asahikawa’s culinary tradition. Seeing the smiles on the faces of children and adults alike as they enjoyed the candy was truly rewarding!

Committee members, dressed in traditional Japanese attire, interacted with parade-goers. It was heartwarming to see so many people take an interest in our mission and express enthusiasm for future exchanges and events. The parade provided an excellent opportunity to spread awareness about the Sister Cities program and its goals. We were thrilled to connect with the community, build excitement for upcoming activities, and showcase the rich cultural tapestry that makes our program so special.