Licensing

Target Dog

Target was a major sponsor of the Festival. For Target's Parade entry, they had a bunch of these little mini Target-themed Smart cars (differently decorated ones). One of them had a Target dog dressed up with what looks like it's supposed to be a happi coat or something.

It was cute, and at least they made some effort to make it more culturally relevant to the festival's theme. Most of the other sponsor entries made no attempt (giant Garfield balloons, a giant foil-wrapped burrito (I think), military processions, marching bands, etc). There was a taiko group, and a few other Japanese or Asian things too. 

At the Festival's booths area, they had a kid's activity area where kids could learn how to do origami using Target origami paper (it had their logo printed on one side). It was actually pretty cool-looking, but there were so many children milling about I didn't try to get a sheet for myself.

All in all, I'm glad to have went, but it did make me appreciate Nisei Week a little more than before.  =)