An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will have their wish granted.
On Thursday, there will be an opportunity for locals to support and send wishes to some of those affected by last month’s earthquake in Japan.
“Vernon’s sister city, Tome, Japan, can use as many wishes as we can send them,” said Tannis Nelson, with Culture and Arts in Action who is helping organize the event with Vernon’s Sister City Committee and the Vernon Community Arts Centre, with the support of local artists.
For a minimum $1 donation, it will start with a crane folding session at the Earth Day event in Vernon’s Spirit Square (in front of the library/museum) between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
The cranes will then take flight to the Performing Arts Centre, where they will decorate the evening fundraising gala.
The event includes an auction of local art as well as entertainment, featuring a Buddhist sutra chant by the Buddhist church, Japanese dance by Chidori-kai, a judo demonstration by the Vernon Judo Club, a karate demonstration by the Vernon Shotokan Karate-Do, and a Japanese drumming performance by Yamabiko Taiko.
Admission to the evening event is by donation, with all proceeds going to Tome. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the event concluding by 9 p.m.
For more information, or to donate artwork for the auction, contact the Vernon Community Arts Centre at 250-542-6243.
