One time a year the small community of Cortez doubles its population. The traditionally farming town on the outskirts of Turlock in Merced County will once again invite the public to come celebrate its annual Obon Festival on July 5.

The Obon Festival is held in many communities in Japan as well as in Japanese American communities around the United States. Cortez has been hosting an Obon Festival since 1935.  The origins of Obon are from the Buddhist legend of Mogallana, one of the Buddha’s disciples, rejoicing when his mother’s soul was redeemed from the realm of hungry ghosts. Most people of Japanese ancestry celebrate Obon as a homecoming: a time to visit one’s hometown and give homage to ancestors. And this is true in Cortez, as well. Event organizer Chris Kubo said that the children and grandchildren of current and former Cortez residents come back to town just for the festival. To help the next generation understand the significance of the holiday, the community hosts Tomodachi Gakko — a one-week Japanese cultural school for children — leading up to Obon. Kubo said they have been hosting the cultural program since 1984.

“It's really, really heartwarming to see everybody come together,”  said  Kubo.

For many Buddhist churches and temples in America, this festival offers a time to hold major fundraisers in the form of bazaars with ethnic food, games, cultural displays, and, of course, Obon dancing. However, in the humble rural community of Cortez, they mainly celebrate with music and dancing.

Obon dancing is, traditionally, very simple. Most dances are set to Japanese folk songs, both old and new, with repetitive steps that can be learned quickly, according to Kubo. Many children dress in traditional summer wear called yukata, while adults choose to wear happi coats over their street clothes. Obon festivals are casual affairs and are meant for people to act spontaneously. Those in the audience are encouraged to participate.

The festival will begin with a performance by Ballico Taiko, a drum group from Ballico-Cressey Elementary School District, at 6:30 p.m. July 5 in the parking lot between Cortez Hall and Cortez Buddhist Church on Cortez Avenue, between Santa Fe Drive and Linwood Avenue, southeast of Turlock. Dancing will start around 7 p.m. Stockton Bukkyo Taiko will also perform later in the evening. Those who would like to learn the dances before the festival are invited to practices being held from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. July 1, 2 and 3 at Cortez Hall, 12985 North Cortez Ave. (corner of Linwood and Cortez Avenues off of Santa Fe Drive).

For more information about the festival, email cortezobon@yahoo.com.