By Sam Borsato - @BorsatoSam on Twitter

Lethbridge Will “Experience the Friendship” During Two Important Anniversaries

Sep 6, 2016 | 5:33 PM

LETHBRDIGE – City Council has put some financial support behind the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden’s plans to host a local celebration next year.

July 2017 will not only recognize Canada’s 150th birthday, but also the 50th anniversary of Nikka Yuko. The garden was established during Canada’s Centennial in 1967 to recognize contributions made by citizens of Japanese ancestry, and as a symbol of international friendship.

The celebration dubbed “Experience the Friendship”, is planned for July 14 and 15. Some of the proposed activities include recognition ceremonies, a community banquet, sport and dance presentations and other programming at the gardens.

City Council agreed on Monday to provide $73,700, $44,300 of which is in-kind services, from its Major Community Event Hosting Grant to make it happen.

“This grant is to allow everything to happen on a bigger scale, including the banquet which will allow people to join in on celebration and entertainment,” explained Dr. John Harding, Chair for the Japanese Garden Society’s 50th Anniversary.

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Council will also write letters of support for the garden to apply for the Canada 150 grant, among other financial opportunities that come up in the future.

Invitations have been extended to the Imperial Agency of Japan and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to attend, but neither have been confirmed yet.

Harding made it clear that he can’t announce anything before the Imperial Family, who attended the opening 50 years ago, does so first, as part of the country’s international protocol. He mentioned that they usually commit between three to 12 months before the event, and early communications have been positive.

by Sam Borsato - @BorsatoSam on Twitter

Lethbridge Will “Experience the Friendship” During Two Important Anniversaries

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