The Santa Maria Valley Obon Festival will return to the Veterans Memorial Building on Sunday, and the community is invited to join the Guadalupe Buddhist Church in honoring ancestors and tradition.

The festival has been held since the Japanese-American community returned to the area after World War II, with the 2-year exception of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the church website.

Music, raffle prizes, food and merchandise vendors along with traditional celebrations and dancing will be part of the afternoon celebration that starts at noon and is scheduled to run to 6 p.m.

Local News

Karate to collectibles, Obon Festival entertains, honors tradition

Helen Thomas Contributing Writer

Obon has been celebrated in Japan for over 500 years and usually includes a dance, known as Bon

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