VISTA — Vista Buddhist Temple, 150 Cedar Rd. in Vista, will hold its Obon Festival on Saturday and Sunday, July 25-26, from 12 to 8 p.m.
Bon Odori starts at 6:30 p.m. both days. Wear your yukata and kimono or shorts and flippies, but get out there and dance. Instruction on the dances will be given at 3 p.m. Saturday and 3:15 p.m. Sunday.
Food will be on sale until 6 p.m. or until sold out. Main dishes: beef and chicken teriyaki, hot dogs, Japanese vegetarian curry, Okinawan soba noodle soup, somen noodle salad, Spam musubi, sushi, udon noodle soup, won ton, yakisoba vegetarian noodles. Sweet treat include manju (which always sells out first), fruit salad, mochi ice cream, and kintoki snow cones.
Saturday’s schedule includes: Introduction to Buddhism and meditation at 1 p.m.; San Shi Judo Club at 2:15 p.m.; Southern California Koto Ensemble at 3:45 p.m.; Vista Buddhist Taiko at 5:15 p.m.
Sunday’s schedule includes: Naruwan Taiko at 1 p.m.; furoshiki (Japanese folded cloth) demonstration at 2 p.m.; Madoka Entertainment-amateur open mic karaoke from 3 to 5 p.m.; Buddhist talk at 4 p.m.; Vista Buddhist Taiko at 5:15 p.m.
The festival will also feature martial arts demonstrations, craft boutique, silent auction, games for kids, cut flowers and plants, fresh produce, and displays of beaded flowers and sumi-e.
Free admission and parking. For more information, call (760) 941-8800 or visit www.vbtemple.org.