El Cerrito Historical Society’s Golden Jubilee Celebration

Come celebrate the society’s fiftieth anniversary in one of El Cerrito’s most historic locales: the former site of Contra Costa Florist, the Mabuchi family’s nursery and flower shop.

We’ll have games, refreshments and special activities throughout the afternoon. Meanwhile, displays and films will tell the story of Japanese flower growers who built a thriving floral industry here in El Cerrito, only to be imprisoned in internment camps during World War II. Learn how the community rebuilt their lives and livelihoods after the war, and how their legacy continues to shape El Cerrito today.

Other highlights include:

1 - 3 p.m. Juri Kinoshita and Florence Zakharov will display ikebana, Japanese floral arrangements, and hold two half hour demonstrations.

3-3:30 p.m. Meet society founders and leaders, as well as members of the Japanese American community and Hana Gardens/Eden Housing.

3:30-5 p.m. Artist Lucy Ames will teach kids and adults to create art with a floral theme.

Come celebrate at this free event from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, September 13, at the former Contra Costa Florist shop (now part of Hana Gardens), 10848 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito.