May 5, 2000. "Spring Festival" Joetsu, Niigata Prefectire. Spring Festival was held in our town on May 5. It was very grand under the beautiful weather though it had been rainy and chilly the day before. Children drew a float with beating a Japanese drum in the morning. They enjoyed quoits, candy catching, free throwing and sumo wrestling in the afternoon. There held kagura, karaoke and magic show in the evening. There were many stalls managed by the young men's association selling barbecued chicken, fried noodles, sausages, chocolate bananas, drinks and candies. Magic show was the first attempt for the festival and it was resulted in gathering more people than ever. I bet it was a great day for children, tough day for adults who involved in the preparation of the festival.

	Go! Let's stick it out!		Float with beating a Japanese drum is marching around the town.
	Stalls		Magic show was very excited.