This photo was taken on July 15, 2007 at the Orange County Buddhist Church Obon. They had several "lanes" painted onto the ground with a yagura in the middle for the taiko player.

Although the ondo dancing didn't begin until about 7pm, when we arrived at the obon a little before 2pm, there was already a line of chairs along the outside of the ondo "track" staking out their ring-side seats for later viewing. As the day progressed, the line of chairs around the dancing area grew so that it went around the entire ondo area.

It was really great to see so many people participating - there were people of many generations and from different areas visually representing their churches/organizations by the various colorful happi coats they wore. Others dressed up in yukata, but many others were just wearing casual clothes.