Sister City Visit - Fall 2004
It was with great pleasure that the City of Concord welcomed 46 guests from Sister City Kitakami, Japan on Wednesday, September 29 to begin five glorious days of celebration in honor of the 30th Anniversary of our Sister City relationship.
Following a shopping trip and a tour of a local winery on Thursday morning, the group was welcomed at City Hall by Mayor Helen Allen and various employees of the City. After a brief tour of the facilities, a formal picture and light refreshments, the delegation traveled to Todos Santos Plaza where they were warmly received at the final Thursday Music and Market Series concert. The evening provided an opportunity for our guests to visit our downtown, sample American food and enjoy the music of Kathleen Cairns and Tattoo Blue.
The visitors arose early on Friday morning to prepare for a tour of the four Mt. Diablo High School academies. They enjoyed lunch at Serendipity Restaurant before boarding their bus to take a whirlwind tour of the community. Following a short visit at Aegis, the new Senior Housing Complex, and Design Expo, the group met their host families and freshened up for the formal ceremonial dinner at the new Concord Senior Center.
Saturday was a free day with their home stay families, culminating with an old fashioned American barbeque around the pool.
Sunday morning came all too soon. Our guests feverishly packed their belongings and all their treasured purchases and joined the Concord Ambassadors and members of the Japanese America Cultural Center at the JA Club for a Sunday Brunch and Hello-Good-bye party.
There simply wasn't enough time to do all that there is to do, or see all that there is to see. Old acquaintances were renewed and new acquaintances made. It was obvious by the emotional good-byes that long-standing friendships were rekindled and many new and dear friendships made. We look forward to seeing you again dear friends from Kitakami.