ABQ BioPark celebrates Japanese festival 'Tanabata'

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A week-long Japanese celebration has started at the ABQ BioPark. The BioPark is hosting a famous Japanese summer festival called Tanabata throughout the week. The festival celebrates the meeting of Shinto deities, Hikoboshi and Orihime, two literal star-crossed lovers.

According to legend, the celestial lovers are separated by the Milky Way and can only meet one night a year on the seventh day of the seventh month. To celebrate the occasion, people write their wishes on a colorful piece of paper called a tanzaku and tie the paper to bamboo or tree branches. The BioPark is hosting the event throughout the week until the two celestial lovers meet on July 7.