Annual Bazaar attracts local community with Japanese food for the soul
By the Rev. Lara Bolger with Jesse N. Love | Photos by Pastor Karen Yokota
Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church held its annual bazaar on Saturday, October 5, 2013. This all-church, multi-generational gathering welcomed everyone in the local church and in Asian-American Communities. This celebration featured an array of food including mouth-watering sushi, ohagi, udon, curry, salmon, chicken, Suno dogs, blueberry pie, marionberry pie, and apple pie.
“I almost never miss a chance to attend Seattle Blaine’s annual Bazaar and Sukiyaki Dinner events when I am in town,” shares Bishop Grant J. Hagiya of The Greater Northwest Area. “Seldom do I get a chance to eat home-cooked Japanese food – and Blaine’s food is wonderful. It is my chance to eat some soul food from my culture. Also, the hospitality and warmth of Blaine’s congregation is overwhelming.”
Seattle’s own local news anchor, Lori Matsukawa helped prepare udon fixings the day before the Bazaar. “I love to eat udon, so preparing it for the bazaar isn’t a job, it’s a joy! It’s also a great time to get together with multiple generations of folks and find out how their lives are unfolding. I totally enjoy the fellowship.”
Blaine’s annual bazaar featured great music from taiko drummers and Blaine Memorial’s Ukelele group. In previous years, this celebration featured Japanese dance performances.
Blaine has been holding its annual bazaar since the 1950s serving as a celebration of culture, as well as helping to raise funds for a good cause. This year, Blaine’s bazaar is helping to support the Red Bird Mission (http://rbmission.org/), while half of the proceeds support the ministry of Blaine Memorial UMC.
Special thanks to the 200 volunteers who organized, prepped, cooked, baked, picked, shopped, cleaned, grilled, hosted, and prepared to serve 800 people. It is truly amazing to see how the community comes together and works together like a team.
The Rev. Lara Bolger serves as associate pastor of Seattle: Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church.
Jesse N. Love is the print & publications manager for the PNWUMC.
Pastor Karen Yokota is the pastor of Whitney Memorial and Milton UMCs.
