According to the Buddhist Church of Sacramento, here is some background of the 66th annual Japanese Food and Cultural Bazaar. 2012  celebrates the Year of the Dragon:

"1947 marked the beginning of the Sacramento Buddhist Church Bazaar as the Japanese rebuilt their community following their forced evacuation from the West Coast by Executive Order during World War II. The Bazaar was primarily a social festival where church members and the local Sacramento Japanese and Japanese-American community shared food, memories and friendships.

In later years the Bazaar was expanded to include Japanese exhibits and demonstrations such as flower arranging (Ikebana), classical dancing (Odori), tea ceremony, concerts, Taiko Drum Clubs and many other cultural activities which were shared with the entire Sacramento community. The Bazaar's popularity has resulted in it becoming a major annual Sacramento community event with thousands of people traveling from miles around to join in the festivities each year. Of course the public is always welcome to enjoy this annual festival.

The two-day event is supported by  volunteers from ages 7 through 90 contributing countless hours throughout the year to share the festival with the Sacramento community. Proceeds from the Japanese Food and Cultural Bazaar support the Sacramento Buddhist Church and its affiliated organizations such as youth sports programs, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, youth groups, adult and senior groups, the Japanese language school and many other church activities within the community."

Even with heat in triple digits people were enjoying themselves mingling, eating, drinking beer and other liquids and checking out the vendors.

Here are some photos I caught in the short time I was there:

The big drums cooking meats filled the air with smoke. (Image by: Kati Garner) A vendor pulls an item down for a shopper. (Image by: Kati Garner) There were many different games to play. (Image by: Kati Garner) Image by: Kati Garner Image by: Kati Garner Little girls carry bunches of balloons through the crowd. (Image by: Kati Garner) Image by: Kati Garner Two women handmake dolls. (Image by: Kati Garner) Calligraphy lessons were popular. (Image by: Kati Garner) Preparing some of the food to be served. (Image by: Kati Garner) Several dances were performed. (Image by: Kati Garner) Image by: Kati Garner Image by: Kati Garner Image by: Kati Garner Image by: Kati Garner A mom tries to keep her young son cool with ice. (Image by: Kati Garner)