Another year, another new venue for our Opening Party. Thanks much to long-time WMDF caterers Marusen for letting us use their restaurant as a venue (and for letting the celebrations spill over into the car park). Hakodate African All-Stars gave a thumping session, and found a new group of dancers in our staff and artists. Thanks to Hakodate City for their support and for the official presents for each group. Thanks also to our sponsors Apparel Fukushoku Kyoukai for their presents for the artists. Motomachi Park opens from August 5th. We can’t wait to meet more new worlds together.

Hakodate summer is putting on a fine welcome for our overseas artists. We met Russia and Israel at the airport, and there are many more artists to come. The Russian group recovered from the flight and  enjoyed the weather by spending a day at the beach!

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!