Sakura Matsuri 2013 – Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Day 1 – Saturday, April 27th

We took No. 3 train and got off at the Eastern Pkwy / Brooklyn Museum Station.

 

Every entrance of the garden had a looooooong line for buying tickets.
But this year, I was on the guest list meaning I could go directly to the staff entrance at 1000 Washington Ave.
Plus I could bring one person for free, too. ^_^

 

Cherry Esplanade was full of people while the other side of garden was less crowded.

 

And here are some cosplayers I met on Saturday.

Alice & I were dressed up as Lolita and Yukata.

 

And we had a lunch – Shrimp Onigiri, Egg Sandwiches, Salad & Pocky.
On our way back to home, we couldn’t stop ourselves getting “green tea / black sesame swirled ice cream” at Cafe Zaiya.

 

Day 2 – Sunday, April 28th { Cosplay Fashion Show }

Yeap, I got into this year’s Cosplay Fashion Show.
I checked myself in at the entrance of 990 Washington Ave where I got this purple wrist band saying that I was a performer who could enter the garden for FREE again!

 

Then, I headed to the dressing room with a staff who was escorting each performer from the entrance to the dressing room. @_+

I arrived to the dressing room around 12:30pm which gave me a short break until 1:30pm.

 

So from 1:30pm ro 4:00pm, we had pretty much enough time to dress up.
Uncle Yo visited to the dressing room and did a short interview with each model to prepare the brief intro for the show.
Then, at 4:15pm, the tramcars were ready to pick up cosplayers.

 

I had to sit alone in the back of the tramcar because of my wired hoop skirt. And I was going backwards facing people walking in the garden!

Sitting on a back of the tramcar was fun! And here’s what happened when I tried to take a picture of the people who tried to take a picture of me. >_<

 

We arrived at the backstage, and there were some treats for performers! Fresh fruits and cupcakes~

 

Uncle Yo got on the stage and it was time for us to line up and be ready!

 

Right after the show, we had a short photo time with photographers and visitors.
Then, we all walked back to the dressing room together.

The Cosplay Fashion Show was the very last event of Sakura Matsuri 2013.
The audience was supportive and the show staff were amazing as they were kind and patient to help each cosplayer’s needs.
If I get a chance, I’ll definitely apply for the next year’s show, and you should, too!
You’ll get complementary garden passes, sweet treats, …………….and a lot of FUN!