Community Events

We are celebrating over 70 years! The GVJCI Matsuri Fundraiser is a South Bay tradition enjoyed by many generations of local residents. As the GVJCI’s largest annual fundraiser, we invite you, your family, friends, and neighbors to enjoy this fun family weekend. Everyone is welcome! We thank our volunteers, member organizations, sponsors, board members, staff, and attendees for the GVJCI Matsuri Fundraiser’s continued success!

Food & Game Booths – Community organizations and classes that are housed at the GVJCI lend their volunteer support to run all of our booths, including fun games such as Bingo, or our ever-popular Pitch ‘Til U Win, or cooking/selling tasty food like Chicken Teriyaki, GVJCI Hot Dogs, Chili Dogs, Spam Musubi, our famous Shaved Ice and Okinawa Andagi and more! Our community volunteers are the BEST—they help run all of the booths and are the heart of our Matsuri!

Performances – Get here early, get some food, grab a seat and be ready to be entertained by the many talented people here at the GVJCI! We showcase many classes and programs at our facility, such as Taiko, Hula, Japanese Traditional Dance, Singing, and Line dancing. See what these performers learn throughout the year, and maybe you’ll be encouraged to join them at their weekly classes and perform next year!

Martial Arts Demonstrations – Ever wonder what these various martial arts disciplines entail? Now is the time to find out! GVJCI’s Martial Arts classes will be featured: Naginata (pole weapon with single blade), Gardena Judo Club, Gardena Kendo, and Kyudo Renmei (Japanese Archery). This is the perfect time to catch a glimpse and see if one is for you and/or your family!

Outdoor Plant Sale–This is one of our most popular booths year after year. Supporting nurseries and gracious community plant enthusiasts donate beautiful plants from their businesses and backyards for our Matsuri. Nursery experts also volunteer their time at the booth to answer your most intricate questions about growing and maintaining your new plants!

Holding Station – Are your hands full of food items, white elephant treasures, and crafts…and you want to purchase a drink? Well, worry no more. Please take all of your belongings to our holding station, where we’ll keep a watchful eye on your items. Now you can roam our Matsuri “hands-free.” Then, drive your car by the loading zone and pick up your goodies!

Bingo – Try your luck at Bingo! Games begin at 4 pm with chances to win cash & prizes!

Beer Garden – From opening to closing, take a break and come to our Beer Garden! Grab a beer, relax, and catch up with friends.