DELRAY BEACH — The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is going ahead with its 32nd annual Hatsume Fair Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. top 6 p.m. on the grounds at 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach
But the festivities are sure to be overshadowed by the tragic earthquake and tsunami in Japan that have left thousands dead and missing.
Morikami is partnering with the Red Cross, which will have a booth at the fair and will be accepting donations and seeking volunteers for future relief efforts.
Officials said the Morikami has been swamped all week with calls from citizens who want to know how they can help. Jamie Russell, the events coordinator for Morikami, said that although they are not a relief organization, the Museum will be doing all it can for the suffering country. That effort starts this weekend at the Hatsume Fair and the partnership with the Red Cross.
“We are pleased to partner and support the American Red Cross in their relief efforts aimed to help the victims of Japan’s earthquake and the tsunami that struck the Pacific,” said Kizzy Sanchez, marketing and events manager at Morikami.
“We were naturally led to reach out to the Red Cross, and help them in any way possible, due to the incredible number of calls we received from people asking how they could help within moments of this tragedy happening.
A moment of silence will also be observed at 2:30 p.m. each day for those affected by the disaster.