The "Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair," an event for the promotion and awareness of disaster prevention, will be held at Mabi Fureai Park on Sunday, November 10, 2024.
This event has been ongoing since the 2022 fiscal year, and this year (2024 fiscal year) marks its third occurrence.
From the first event, it has been important to create an event that anyone, from adults to children, can casually and enjoyably participate in, and of course, the "experience" programs will continue to be enriched as in the previous event.
Furthermore, this time, the venue will be the newly completed "Mabi Fureai Park," and there is a desire to let people inside and outside the city know about the "disaster prevention efforts of the people in the Mabi area who are moving forward after the heavy rain disaster of July 2018."
Now, let me introduce the "2024 Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair."
What is the "Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair"
The "Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair" is a disaster prevention promotion and awareness event organized by Kurashiki City.
It will be held on Sunday, November 10, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Mabi Fureai Park.
The Mabi Fureai Park will be divided into three areas: the grass area, the riverbed area, and the working vehicles area, featuring the following events centered around experience booths.
- Stage events
- Rescue training
- Booth exhibitions where you can learn about disaster prevention in a fun way
- Gathering of working vehicles
- Fun lottery
- Food trucks
Booth Exhibitions
At the booth exhibitions, over 50 sponsoring companies and organizations will present creatively designed, enjoyable learning displays.
All displays will focus on the main theme of "experience," and various disaster prevention workshops will be abundant.
In addition, popular vehicles for children, such as police cars and fire trucks, as well as Self-Defense Force vehicles, high-altitude work vehicles, and other working vehicles that are not usually seen up close will also gather, and some will allow for commemorative photos and riding experiences.
Among them, the highlight of this event is the earthquake experience vehicle.
There are only two in Okayama Prefecture, and one of them will appear at the disaster prevention fair. It is said to be a rare opportunity to "experience" the Nankai Trough mega earthquake.
Event Programs
The event program includes performances by a music band, puppet shows, fun quiz contests, stage events, as well as rescue training by the fire department, and pork miso soup provided by the Self-Defense Forces.
We spoke with Masanao Takenami and Yutaka Moriya from the Kurashiki City Disaster Management Office, Disaster Prevention Division, who plan and operate the "Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair."
Interview with Kurashiki City Disaster Management Office, Disaster Prevention Division
Can you tell us about the background of the "Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair"?
Moriya (no honorifics)
Every autumn, Kurashiki City has been conducting a "comprehensive disaster drill" in cooperation with the city, local residents, businesses, and cooperating organizations, which includes evacuation drills and evacuation center management training.
I think this is a common concern in every region, but thankfully, some people who are in leadership positions or have a strong interest in disaster prevention participate in the drills every year.
On the other hand, it has been challenging to get people with low interest in disaster prevention, especially families, to participate, and we felt this was an issue.
Therefore, starting in the 2022 fiscal year, we planned the "Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair" to address this issue, aiming to allow people to engage with disaster prevention in a fun way and to foster interest in disaster prevention, thereby expanding the base of disaster prevention activities.
What do you want participants to feel?
Moriya
This year, with the Noto Peninsula earthquake occurring on New Year's Day and the issuance of temporary information about the Nankai Trough earthquake in August, I feel that individual disaster prevention awareness is higher than ever.
However, I think there are many people who do not know what specifically to do or where to start. The disaster prevention fair will introduce many disaster prevention goods, so I hope it serves as an opportunity for families to prepare together.
Additionally, I hope that through experiences, participants will consider disaster prevention as their own issue and connect it to the basic concepts of self-help and mutual assistance in disaster prevention activities.
Takenami
This time, we have subtitled it "What We Can Do: Think Now, Protect the Future."
Since it will be held at Mabi Fureai Park, there was a discussion about including "learning from the past," but what we want everyone to know through this event is what we can do now.
For this reason, we chose "Think Now, Protect the Future."
I want people to understand that what they think about now connects to protecting the future. I hope they will at least stand at the entrance to disaster prevention.
Please give a message to the readers.
Moriya
Last year, we had about 15,000 visitors, and it was very well received.
This time, the booth exhibitions will not only provide knowledge but will also be more experience-oriented. It should be fun but also educational.
Additionally, there will be a fun lottery that participants can enter by collecting stamps from the booths, with luxurious prizes prepared.
We have made this event accessible to everyone, from small children to the elderly, so please come to Mabi Fureai Park on Sunday, November 10.
We are looking forward to seeing you!!
Conclusion
I participated in last year's (2023 fiscal year) disaster prevention fair, and many people attended, enjoying learning and experiencing disaster prevention.
What was impressive was the large number of families present, which I believe was a great success as an initiative to stand at the entrance to disaster prevention.
However, disaster prevention efforts are constantly evolving, with new convenient disaster prevention goods and services emerging, so even those who participated previously will find value in "knowing the latest initiatives."
Additionally, I am personally pleased that the "Mabi Zone," which can be considered a highlight this time, has created an opportunity for many people to learn about the local initiatives.
As a place to reconsider "disaster prevention," why not visit the "Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair"?
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Data for the 2024 Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair
| Name | 2024 Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair |
|---|---|
| Date | November 10, 2024 (Sun) 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM |
| Location | 4629-1 Ayata, Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free |
| Homepage | Kurashiki Disaster Prevention Fair |
