To Watch the Pacific NW Zone's YPG performance in front of 1.1million people, click on the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hWzlG6IqQk

Other photos

 Seafair Report:

This summer, the Pacific Northwest Zone came together to fully support the Youth Performing Groups (YPG) to march in the 2008 Seafair Torchlight Parade (July 26th) through downtown Seattle.  Seafair is Seattle's traditional month-long summer festival.  It is celebrated in every corner of the greater Seattle are, brings millions of people, and an enormous community together.

Marching in the Torchlight parade has been a tradition for the SGI youth since the early 1970's, which has functioned as a lifeline in maintaining the spirit of the Brass Band and Fife and Drum Corps. to encourage the hearts of the people through our music, spirit, and sincere desire to share the joy of this Buddhism and personal victory in our own lives with all who experience our performance.

We began the Seafair movement this year with brand new YPG leaders and only a few participants. At one practice in late spring, there were only a dozen of us.  We were so encouraged when we studied Sensei's guidance about creating the first corps, transforming ten youth into a thousand. Many performers had little or no experience, some as young as twelve years old, but even on days when just a few dance steps or musical notes were mastered, it was clear that friendships were deepening and the youth enjoyed coming to practice.

We determined to learn three songs this year, rather than the traditional two. The dance and flags groups created their choreography and the band began learning and memorizing the music. At times our goal of successfully marching in the parade seemed impossible but we continued no matter what.

The Seafair Torchlight Parade is a night parade.  The streets of the marching route were crowded with people, including many local members supporting us. Our uniforms were blue, yellow, and red t-shirts that, among other things, stated "Buddhists for World Peace". We were a colorful and joyful group, full of pride in representing Sensei, Nichiren Buddhism, and the greatest Peace-building organization in the world. People along the street commented on our smiles and how happy we looked. During our drum cadence, the whole unit (band, flags, and dance) cheered together, "Who's in the house? SGI's in the house! When SGI's in the house, we rock it all the way down!" People cheered with us and seemed to light up with energy as we passed. Our entire group was televised that night, featuring close-ups of many performers and a description of the Soka Gakkai International – who we are and what we stand for. We opened our hearts to the 300,000 people lining the streets and 800,000 watching on TV, sharing the spirit of the SGI with over a million people in one night!

It was not just the Youth Performing Group that had a shining victory this summer. The Pacific Northwest Zone, as an organization, truly won. The four divisional line leadership functioned with vigor, communicating, home visiting, organizing rides, delighted to support in any way we needed, in any way they could – every action contributing to the success of the parade. There were teams supporting with food, sewing our uniforms, logistics, providing guidance and encouragement, and contributing in countless other ways. The BSG supported the practices and marched along side the parade, ensuring the safety of the members participating. Daimoku roared across all four divisions throughout the summer. Also, a women's division member created a "Torch of Humanism" with each supporters name listed on the base and each participants name composing the flame.

The Youth Performing Groups of the Pacific Northwest Zone are determined to continually realize Sensei's vision that we function as a faith training group dedicated to personal growth and encouraging the hearts of all who witness our performance. We determine to continue to perform for the general public and continue to keep ablaze the fire of the Brass Band and Fife and Drum Corps spirit.

Pacific Northwest Zone Youth Performing Groups Team

(E Frausto, Y Konno, D Baker)