Every year our organization has several events to celebrate various cultural holidays and gatherings as well as events where our performance groups will perform. Here are the 2008 activities that we know of at this time. Please think of us when planning out you yearly activities for 2008.

42nd Annual Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai Chinese New Year's Party: The party will be held on March 1st 2008 this year. Admission is free to members but guests will be $10.00 per person. Membership and guests will be welcomed to arrive at 3 pm and the party will run until approximately 7:30 pm. The party will be held at the Midwest Buddhist Temple which is located at 435 W Menomonee Street in Chicago. Please enter the temple from the north side of the building and pick up a name tag and parking tag for your car. Members are encouraged to car pool as praking is limited at the Temple. This event is one of our organizations premier events of the year and features many cultural performances in a show that is sure to thrill. There will be a Potluck Dinner which usually includes both Okinawan foods and American favorites. Soft Drinks, Coffee, and Tea will be provided free of charge and beer & cocktails will be available on a pay as you go basis. Don't miss out on this chance to mingle and have some good times with others who take delight in celebrating the Okinawan culture. Directions and additional information is available by clicking here!

Des Moines Iowa Celebrasian: The 6th Annual Asian heritage festival will be held in Des Moines, Iowa on May 17th 2008. The Chicago Matsuri Daiko Group has been asked to perform a demonstration of Okinawan Taiko Drumming. Visit the festivals web site at: www.celebrasian.org .

2008 Skokie Festival of Cultures: The Skokie Festival of Cultures has become one of the premier ethnic festivals in Illinois, attracting more than 300,000 visitors each year with dozens of cultures, all representing Skokie's tremendous diversity. This year the festival will be held on May 17th & 18th from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Oakton Park, located at 4701 West Oakton St., Skokie, Illinois. Visit the festivals website at: www.skokieculturefest.org.

June Home Stay in Okinawa: There is an opportunity available for a Junior High School or High School student to participate in a 10 day Home Stay in Okinawa during June of 2008. Travel expenses are NOT covered but the student will stay with a sponsor Okinawan family and participate in activities geared toward learning more about Okinawan culture. Participant should speak some Japanese. Contact Taeko Ayala for more information if interested.

Great Midwest Dragonboat Festival: July 11th & 12th 2008, in Racine Wisconsin. The Chicago Matsuri Daiko may be performing at this event this year. Visit the festivals website at: www.midwestdragonboatfestival.com.

Mid-America Japanese Club/Japanese American Association of Chicago’s Japan Festival: Discover Japan on June 21st & 22nd 2008 at the Forest View Educational Center which is located at 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights, IL. The Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai will be sharing Okinawan culture at this event both by performing and by having a display booth showing various types of Okinawan culture. The event will also include an Anime section this year so bring your kids! Visit the festivals web site at: www.japanfest-chicago.org.

Annual Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai Picnic: This year the annual Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai Picnic will be held on Saturday July 19th 2008. The picnic starts at 11am and will once again be held at the Robinson Woods South Groves 1 & 2, Cook County Forest Preserve near O’Hare Airport - on Lawrence Ave. between East River Road and River Road. A map is available on our web site of how to get to the picnic area. Click Here for Map It’s a potluck picnic so bring a dish to share and don’t forget your lawn chairs. Beverages will be provided by the Kenjinkai. Admission is free to members but guests will be $10.00 per person. We’ll have raffles and games for both the kids and adults with many great prizes.

Chicago White Sox Game: The White Sox have a promotion every year called “Japanese Community Day.” For the last few years they have asked the Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai to perform Taiko Drumming at the game. Performance August 20th 2008

Bon Odori at Mitsuwa: An annual favorite with our membership. The exact dates have not yet been determined.

Brazil / Argentina trip: (August 22 to September 2) This Year some of our membership will be traveling together to São Paulo, Brazil and Buenos Aires, Argentina to celebrate 100 years of Uchinanchu spirit in those countries. A meeting has been set for March 8th to for all members interested in going along. Information about attaining visas and about the tour package will be discussed. This is a MUST attend meeting if you are planning on going with us. There is a tentative plan that will cost $3600 +tax for this trip which will include accommodations for 9 nights, economy airfare, sightseeing, some meals, and transportation per itinerary. The tour is being offered through Uehara Travel out of California.

"Respect Elders" Day: This Year the Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai will organize an event to celebrate those silver members who are 70 years old and up. The plan is to organize an event for members only around October 25th that will honor our silver members with a performance and meal. This event will be for members only and will probably be held at the Midwest Buddhist Temple. More info to come when available.

Carthage College Annual Cultural Friendship Dinner: Held at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin. More information will be on the website later for this December 2008 fund raising event for the college.

The Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai is always looking for volunteers to assist with projects and special events preparation. If you have some specialized talents or would just like to volunteer your services to the group please contact Taeko Ayala or Kumiko Walker.