May 5th is “Children’s Day” in Japan–and at the New Rochelle Public Library, as a BID Family Day event! The free program for children in Pre-K through Grade 5, and their parents and grandparents, will begin at 12:30 pm in the library’s Meeting Room. In Japan, Kodomo no hi (Children’s Day) is a national holiday set aside to respect children’s unique personalities and to celebrate their happiness. Families display kabuto (samurai armor), hang koinobori (carp streamers) from their homes, and eat kashiwa mochi (rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves). The BID staff will help families make their own fish kite like the koinobori to take home, and will offer samples of some traditional Japanese treats.
Traditionally, the May 5th festival, Tango no sekku (Boy’s Day), was a day to honor male children and express hopes for their future prosperity and strength. In 1948, however, the Japanese government renamed the day Kodomo no hi and it became a more general event celebrating the happiness of all children. Today, it is among Japan’s most popular national holidays.
The free concert is a BID Family Day event, made possible by the New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District, in conjunction with the New Rochelle Public Library, the City School District and the Department of Parks and Recreation.