Bazaar by the numbers

More than 25,000 people are expected at the Buddhist Church of Sacramento’s 70th annual Japanese Food & Culture Bazaar from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, August 13, and Sunday, August 14, at 2401 Riverside Boulevard. What began shortly after World War II as a celebration for the local Japanese community has turned into a massive festival with taiko drummers, Japanese folk dancers, exhibits, games for kids and lots of homestyle Japanese food. It’s free to attend, but you’ll have to pay to sample the nigiri, inari, onigiri, teriyaki, tempura, udon, somen, curry, mochi and other traditional favorites. For a sense of scale, check out these numbers: the festival will cook 1,500 pounds of rice, 7,500 pounds of chicken, 4,000 pounds of beef, 500 pounds of shrimp and 500 pounds of noodles, aided by 100 gallons of soy sauce. More at www.buddhistchurch.com.