I took a few pictures last night at one of the festival events. Lanterns floating down the river. It's really hard to take photos in the dark! http://homepage.mac.com/teaghanmacke...toAlbum10.html

Nice pics.

I've added parade pictures now, too.

nice pics. are the floating lanterns part of toro nagashi?

Yes...they are.

Thanks, Kim! It looks like they must encase the silk lanterns in some resin-like material to keep them dry? What are the sayings on the side of the lanterns, any idea?

The parade looks great. I see it was raining and they had to protect the drums. The girls in the orange costumes are beautiful. The only one who looks like he isn't having a great time is the gentleman on the horse! The fella w/the long white and black hair is pretty wild.

I wanted to go and now I almost feel like I did- thanks again.

thanks Kim, nice photos

I took a good look at the lanterns close up before they floated them off and they don't appear to be encased in anything. They are made of silk not paper, though, so I don't think a little water hurts them.

Great pictures kim! I loved the sports day as well. Your daughter is beautiful...and so lucky to go to a japanese school.

Of course she is beautiful!

Thanks! That's nice to hear. Her school here is truly wonderful...a real community. A half Philipino girl just entered the other second grade class a couple of weeks ago, making the school count (for all six grades) Japanese 246 non-Japanese 2.