This weekend's Obon Festival, hosted annually by the Vista Buddhist Temple & Japanese-American Cultural Center, mixes a celebration of tradition with a chance for community members to enjoy something new.

Running from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, the festival will offer a range of Japanese crafts, lectures, food, floral design, music and other themed events. The last 90 minutes of each day's festival is devoted to Bon Odori folk dancing, where everyone is invited to join in the dance circle and celebrate.

Saturday's program will include a wide range of hands-on and educational programs. Yuki Easter and Mary Lu Brandwein will perform a concert of traditional Japanese music on the stringed koto and the shakuhachi (bamboo flute), and will let the audience touch and experience the instruments themselves.

Orange County Buddhist Church minister's assistant Jon Turner will present a question-and-answer session on Buddhism. Hokto Kinoko Company, Japan's largest mushroom grower, will offer free tastings of its organic specialty mushrooms. The Junior Taiko Group and Shokenji Taiko ensembles will present a performance of taiko drumming.

On Sunday, programs include a Bon Odori dance class and discussion led by Elaine Marume. Temple tea master Soko Fosket will host a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and will explain the history and rituals associated with it. Kayo Beach will offer a class in Japanese brush painting. And taiko drumming is also planned.

Other events include a children's craft program (where they can make a Japanese fan), a beaded flower display, brush painting art display, Buddhist bookstore, fresh produce, cut flowers and plants for sale, and silent auction. There will also be Japanese food for sale, including teriyaki, sushi, noodle salad, won ton, fruit salad and snow cones, along with the American favorite, hot dogs.

The Buddhist Temple is at 150 Cedar Road in Vista. Call (760) 941-8800.