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The Nisei Week Festival is proud to welcome our mascot, Aki the Akita to the Nisei Week Family! Aki was first introduced in 1997 as a t-shirt design by famed artist Dick Sakahara to promote an Akita dog show at that year's festival. Mr. Sakahara is an established artist/designer and has designed logos for the Chicago Cubs (MLB), Pittsburg Pirates (MLB), Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Milwaukee Bucks (NBA), and Minnesota Lynx (WNBA) to name a few. Eight years later, Aki the Akita was brought back to life as a live mascot to start a new annual tradition!
Aki will make appearances at all major Nisei Week activities listed below. Come visit Aki and get your picture taken with him or even get his autograph! For the children, you can download an Aki the Akita Coloring Sheet here [Download Now].
* Please check with the Calendar of Events for specific times and locations.
2006 Aki the Akita Sightings:
- Opening Ceremonies: July 16th at the Japanese American National Museum
- Baby Pageant: July 22nd at the JACCC Plaza
- Coronation Ball Dinner: August 12th at the New Otani Hotel & Gardens
- Grand Parade: August 13th throughout Little Tokyo
- Awards Dinner: August 14th at the New Otani Hotel & Gardens
- Ondo/Closing Ceremonies: August 20th at 1st Street
- and other events throughout Nisei Week!
[View Aki's Photo Gallery]
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