Seymour Oktoberfest is all about celebrating German heritage, but a group of Japanese women use the annual festival to share a little bit of their own culture and to give back to the community.

This year marks the 26th year for Sakura Helping Hands to be a part of the event by making and selling traditional Japanese arts, crafts and gifts.

The group consists of around 30 women living in Seymour temporarily while their husbands work at local Japanese-owned companies such as Aisin.

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Leading the group this year are Ayumi Murao, Sachiko Kondo, Nami Kawanishi, Mayo Yamada, Megumi Murai and Asako Otsuka.

They started making items for this year’s booth last winter, meeting once a week to craft, talk and socialize with each other.

Each item is made from traditional Japanese materials and there is a wide selection to choose from.

The group has made around 1,000 items this year including some of their favorites like origami paper balls, fabric flowers and wreaths.

Princes range from $1 to $20.

The booth is a popular stop for many festival-goers, some of whom come back each year to get something different.

Oktoberfest, now in its 46th year, transforms downtown Seymour into a three-day street carnival complete with rides, games, entertainment, contests, crafts, a beer garden and lots of food.

Making the items is fun, the women say, and they hope others appreciate and enjoy them.

“We enjoy the opportunity to share our traditional handmade crafts with our friends and neighbors,” they said.

Sakura Helping Hands was started as a project to help get Japanese women more involved in the community and as a way to teach others about their culture and heritage.

“We were looking for the opportunity to get close with people in Seymour, and we wanted to do something for the Seymour community to show our appreciation,” they said.

The group also serves as a way for the families to give back to their new community. All proceeds from the booth are donated back to different organizations in Seymour.

Each year, the group raises around $2,500 which it distributes to Seymour Community Schools, Jackson County Public Library, Schneck Medical Center, the city and other groups.

The booth is located on the corner of Chestnut and Third streets near city hall and is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Oct. 6.

This year, the group is inviting kids to come by the booth at 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday to play a fishing game and win a prize.

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What: Sakura Helping Hands Oktoberfest arts and crafts booth

When: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Oct. 6

Where: Corner of Chestnut and Third streets near Seymour City Hall

Proceeds benefit various local causes, including Seymour Community School Corp., Jackson County Public Library, Read Jackson County, Schneck Medical Center and Seymour Parks and Recreation Department.

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