August 1 is the annual start of Hakodate’s “Port Festival”. Fireworks today, and then two days of parades throughout town. Warm up your festival muscles to be ready for WMDF’s opening on August 5!

We hope that some WMDF staff had a chance to enjoy tonight’s spectacle despite having to work on our own preparations. Summer is here and the weather forecast is good! We start building Motomachi Park tomorrow, and WMDF’s first overseas group arrive. Bring on edition number 009!