What is this crazy new stunt the Zkon folks are pulling?! Well, lifted straight from wikipedia, the source of everything true:

O-bon (お盆, O-bon?) or only Bon (盆, Bon?) is a Japanese Buddhist holiday to honor the departed spirits of one's ancestors. This Buddhist festival has evolved into a family reunion holiday during which people from the big cities return to their home towns and visit and clean their ancestors' graves. Traditionally including a dance festival, it has existed in Japan for more than 500 years. It is held from July 13 (August 13 according to the lunar calendar still observed in many regions) to the 15th ("Welcoming Obon" and "Farewell Obon" respectively) in the eastern part of Japan (Kantō), and in August in the western part. In recent years, however, most parts of Tokyo, and by extension, the media, hold Obon in August to coincide with the summer holiday period. Obon shares some similarities with the predominantly Mexican observance of el Día de los Muertos, such as customs involving family reunion and care of ancestors' grave sites.

Obon is a shortened form of the legendary Urabonne/Urabanna (Japanese: 于蘭盆会 or 盂蘭盆会, urabon'e). It is Sanskrit for "hanging upside down in hell and suffering" (Sanskrit:Ullambana). The Japanese believe they should ameliorate the suffering of the "Urabanna".

Bon Odori originates from the story of Mokuren, a disciple of Shakyamuni, who saw a vision of his deceased mother in the Realm of Hungry Ghosts where she was indulging in her own selfishness. Greatly disturbed, he went to the Buddha and asked how he could release his mother from this realm. Buddha answered, "On the 15th of July, provide a big feast for the past seven generations of dead." The disciple did this and, thus, saw his mother's release. He also began to see the true nature of her past unselfishness and the many sacrifices that she had made for him. The disciple, happy because of his mother's release and grateful for his mother's kindness, danced with joy. From this dance of joy comes Bon Odori or "Bon Dance", a time in which ancestors and their sacrifices are remembered and appreciated. See also: Ullambana Sutra.

Toro Nagashi is the floating of paper lanterns on the last evening of Obon, to guide the spirits in their journey.

So, what does this mean for the DAS, TLO, and the rest of us here on Zkon staff?
It means we get together and have a good time!! (Do we ever really need an excuse?) More over, we'll be celebrating a lesser known Japanese festival and spreading some cultural lovin' while having fun. Take this opportunity to drop by and meet the folks making all this possible, and get a taste for what's in store.

We'll be meeting at Hoopes Park in West Chester for this event, on July 14th, of 07 of course, and would enjoy your company!

The address for Hoopes park is:
700 Hoopes Park Lane,
West Chester, PA

Want in on the fun? Why wait, registering for this even will run yah a measely $6. Clicky.

Pay Pal it up a notch: