For the author, 2024 will be the first summer spent in Kurashiki.
Until moving here, the author had very few opportunities to be involved in local festivals.
Thinking, "Since I'm here, I should enjoy the local festivals," I researched the festivals in the city and found the 15th Mabi and Funao Grand Dance.
The Mabi and Funao Grand Dance has overcome the heavy rain disaster in July 2018 and the COVID-19 pandemic.
I spoke with a member of the executive committee about what kind of event it will be in 2024.
What is the "15th Mabi and Funao Grand Dance"?
The 15th Mabi and Funao Grand Dance (hereinafter referred to as "Grand Dance") is a festival to be held on July 13, 2024 (Saturday).
Originally, Bon Odori (traditional summer dance) had been held in Mabi since 1985. After the merger of Kurashiki City, Mabi Town, and Funao Town in 2005, the "1st Mabi and Funao Grand Dance" was held in 2007, becoming a summer tradition bustling with local people.
Due to the impact of the heavy rain disaster in July 2018 and the COVID-19 pandemic, there were several years of cancellations, but in 2023, which marked the first event in four years, approximately 5,500 people visited the festival.
The highlight of the Grand Dance is the local dance called "One Dance in Mabi and Funao". It features simple choreography that allows easy participation across generations. This time, 25 local groups will participate and liven up the venue with their dances.
Since the choreography is simple, if you feel like dancing on the day, you can join in spontaneously by following the last group, "Mabi and Funao Branch Office Staff."
Additionally, there will be plenty of festival-like activities, including food stalls and live music stage events.
The "fan lottery," which offered prizes such as electronic appliances and travel vouchers at the 2023 Grand Dance, will also be sold this year for 100 yen each. It will be exciting to see what prizes will be available.
The venue, Mabi Fureai Park, is a newly opened park as of July 3, 2024 (Wednesday), and its charm lies in the beautiful scenery surrounded by greenery.
In September, a photo exhibition titled "15th Mabi and Funao Grand Dance Photo Exhibition" will be held to convey the charm of the Grand Dance. Works for the exhibition are being accepted until August 9 (Friday). Photos of smiling spectators and beautiful scenery, as well as subjects other than dancers, can also be submitted. If you enjoy photography, please consider applying.
Interview with the person in charge
The 2024 Grand Dance will be held at the new venue, Mabi Fureai Park. I spoke with Makoto Sunami from the Mabi and Funao Grand Dance Executive Committee about the event details.
Are there any differences from last year's Grand Dance?
Sunami (no honorifics)
Previously, it was held near the Kurashiki City Mabi Branch Office, but in 2024 it will be held at Mabi Fureai Park, which opened on July 3 (Wednesday).
With the larger venue, the number of stalls has also slightly increased.
Additionally, this time we have prepared seven awards under the name "Dance Contest."
There were about three awards before the disaster, but after the disaster, it was not a time for competition, so we took a break.
In 2024, we want everyone to unite and further enhance the Grand Dance, which is why we have increased the number of awards to seven.
- Grand Prize (Chairman's Award of the Mabi and Funao Grand Dance Executive Committee)
- Excellence Award (Chairman's Award of the Local Production for Local Consumption & Fureai Festival Executive Committee)
- Excellence Award (Chairman's Award of the Community Development Promotion Council Liaison Council)
- Performance Award
- Entertainment Award
- Smile Award
- Special Jury Award
The number of participating groups in the Grand Dance has been gradually increasing each year, and I believe they participate with the feeling of "Let's liven up the local area together!" This contest aims to further enhance the Grand Dance, so I would be happy if it receives attention.
What are the highlights of the 2024 Grand Dance?
Sunami
Since this is the first time we are changing the venue, I hope everyone enjoys the beautiful views and the open atmosphere of Mabi Fureai Park. The riverbank is also nearby, and there is grass in the park, making it a venue where children can also have fun.
Please come to the stage where various events will be showcased.
The "Rika Hashimoto & Taichi Nakai Concert," which will take place around 5:15 PM, will be a performance to commemorate the opening of Mabi Fureai Park. Rika Hashimoto is a pianist from Mabi Town, and Taichi Nakai is a violinist who studied at Kurashiki Sakuyo University.
Additionally, the stage will feature local citizen orchestras and people connected to Kurashiki. The "Ocarina Ensemble Felice and Friends," who will be participating for the first time, will be coming from Funao. Please listen to their performance, which will further enhance the Grand Dance.
Are there any memorable events or scenes from the last Grand Dance (2023)?
Sunami
The 2023 Grand Dance was the first event in four years after the COVID-19 pandemic, and it seemed that the local people were looking forward to the festival, as many joined in the spontaneous dance. I think more than 50 people participated.
In particular, the participation of children in their teens, including elementary, middle, and high school students was very lively, and it was a lot of fun. The line of dancers kept extending, and the enjoyable time continued.
What kind of people would you like to come?
Sunami
I would be happy to have people who love the local area and want to liven it up... and also those who enjoy fun and want to "dance together!"
For those who support the recovery from the heavy rain disaster in July 2018, I would like them to see the current state of Mabi.
The Grand Dance is not just for watching; please join in and dance together. Let's enjoy and liven it up together!
Please give a message to the readers.
Sunami
This year (2024), marking the sixth year since the heavy rain disaster in July 2018, we want to continue our efforts in recovery and disaster prevention, and we hope to make the Grand Dance an event that supports those activities.
Through the Grand Dance, I hope we can deepen the connections among residents that will be useful in times of need and strengthen the ties within the community.
We will make it an even more vibrant festival than before, so I would like many people to participate. We will show the energetic appearance of Mabi Town and Funao Town.
Everyone, let's dance together!
Conclusion
A few days before the interview, I filmed a practice session for the Grand Dance held in Mabi Town.
About 100 local people gathered for the practice session, and lively voices echoed throughout the room.
The choreography is so simple that it can be learned in less than 30 minutes, so I thought there would be many spontaneous participants on the day of the festival. I also practiced the Grand Dance with the locals and had a great time dancing.
Watching the local people practice with smiles, I realized that community festivals are something everyone creates together.
I believe the Grand Dance is a festival that reflects the local people's desire to "liven up the community!"
If you want to feel the vibrancy of the community or dance with the locals, please come to the 15th Mabi and Funao Grand Dance.
Data on the 15th Mabi and Funao Grand Dance
| Name | 15th Mabi and Funao Grand Dance |
|---|---|
| Date | July 13, 2024 (Saturday) From 2:00 PM to 8:30 PM |
| Location | Mabi Fureai Park |
| Website | Kurashiki City |
