Sycamore Church Hosts Festive Bazaar under Sunny Sky

You didn't have to be in the middle of the packed Sycamore Congregational Church parking lot in El Cerrito Sunday to know that the 62nd Annual Church Bazaar was in full swing.

The beat of taiko drums and wafting aroma of teriyaki chicken carried the message beyond the church grounds as the annual festive gathering drew another large crowd for an afternoon of entertainment, Japanese food, game booths and the traditional plant sale.

The performance line-up included Heiwa Taiko, Wesley Ukulele Band, the DulTones from San Francisco Chinese Congregational Church, and Phoenix Choir. Also on the program were the Bunka Camp Kids, Sakura-Kai Dancing Group, Faith Community Polynesian Dancers and Genyukai Berkeley.

Joining traditional Japanese dishes like sushi and udon on the menu were cultural blend offerings like spam musubi and curry rice, along with typically American offerings like hamburgers and hot dogs.