The Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community (BIJAC) will mark the 30th anniversary of their beloved Mochi Tsuki celebration by moving to a new and bigger venue, Woodward Middle School, 9125 Sportsman Club Road. The much anticipated New Year’s community event will be held on Saturday, January 5th, 2019, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Besides the new location, perhaps the most noteworthy change is that NO tickets will be required for entry or for the popular Seattle Kokon Taiko performances. The two performances of the award-winning drum ensemble will be held in Woodward Middle School’s spacious gymnasium for the first 500 guests from Noon – 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. While parking is available in Woodward Middle School’s main lot and also at nearby Sakai Intermediate School, carpooling is strongly recommended.

All guests will receive a special 30th Anniversary Commemorative gift as a token of BIJAC’s appreciation for the decades of community support and attendance.

Mochi Tsuki began 30 years ago on Bainbridge Island as a small New Year’s celebration gathering at the former Bainbridge Dry Cleaner located on lower Winslow Way. The celebration quickly grew in popularity and moved to Island Center Hall, but after a few years the event grew even bigger again and moved to the Filipino American Community Hall. In 2004, IslandWood hosted their first Mochi Tsuki celebration.

“For the past 15 years, IslandWood has been a wonderfully generous partner hosting our Mochi Tsuki celebration,” BIJAC President Clarence Moriwaki said. “Indeed, without their support throughout all of these years, we would not have grown into what may be the largest public Mochi Tsuki event in the country, and we’re forever grateful for their community spirit and friendship.”

Traditional mochi pounding, hand forming mochi, origami folding and a new BIJAC history game with prizes will be featured, along with displays of the award-winning “Kodomo No Tameni – For the Sake of the Children” exhibit of 100 years of Japanese American history on Bainbridge Island, and future phases of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial.

The new move to Woodward Middle School is made possible thanks to a Cultural Grant from the City of Bainbridge Island and support from event partners Town and Country Market, Bainbridge Island Ace Hardware and IslandWood. For at least the next two years, BIJAC is planning to host Mochi Tsuki at Woodward and will strive to keep the event free and open to the public.