Sequel to our previous report, this time I’m going to tell you about the Memorial Parade held as Black Ship Festival Opening at Shimoda Park.

Memorial Ceremony

The venue is, Shimoda Park, aria after passing a monument of Arrival of the PERRY squadron. When we arrived at Shimoda Park, at the parking lot before park entrance, marching band are already stand by and warming up for the parade.

Going along entrance slope and you’ll see the park on the hill. A tent for special guests are already set, the chairs for the guest had been already displayed orderly, and the convertible parade car and vehicle for the media people were prepared for it.

Both Japan and U.S. orchestras was divided into two sides of the road from the flower stand and playing some music in turn.

Guests also dress not in the suit for official occasion but the costume of sailor ane white military uniform just like old time when Kurofune arrived to Yokohama 150 years ago from now.

The ceremony started time for commemorative ceremony, remarks were given by many guest, programme began.

Honorable guests were such as US Embassy, US Navy Commander residing in Japan, Mayor of Newport City, Governor of Shizuoka prefecture, Mayor of Shimoda-City.

At the ceremony of the offering of flowers, our honorable attendants from embassy, US Navy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Self-Defense Forces and so on gave garlands to the monument, after that, the tree of flowering dogwood was given and planted by the United States to Japan for the purpose of celebrating friendships and impressed people that the Black Ship Festival is a ceremony to symbolize friendship between Japan and the United States.

In addition, fly-past show by the Coast Guard helicopter, also T-7 from Shizuhama Air Base performed aerial show　from the sky.

One of the most impressive thing in the ceremony probably is performance of the national anthems of both country, sung by solo style hymn, great performance with a transparent voice carried far.

Parade

Memorial Ceremony finished in about one hour, so honorable guests got in a parade cars and headed to the entrance of Shimoda Park.

We decided to leave for the parking lot because that was almost the start point of the parade, it’s time to photograph, we waited holding a camera.

The performance of the marching band beggan and the open car of honorable guests lead the parade. Girl Scouts, the Boy Scouts, brass band club, costumed guests followed.

It departed from Shimoda Park at half past 11 and went through a mall, the main street, marched in the parade until the goal which was set at the court for about an hour.

The main street was very crowded with many sightseers that I could not move a inch. On the main street there were shops and amusement section on the main site and was full of many people.

When a parade was over, we left to the next place to cover.

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