"Hiranai Awa Pippi 2024," an event where people can have fun bathing in bubbles, will be held on September 8th at Yogoshiyama Ski Resort in Hiranai Town (Hamako, Hiranai Town).

The event will take place on a 10,000m2 site in the ski resort, and will feature the "Bubble Zone," where people can enjoy being showered with bubbles sprayed from a bazooka-type machine. There will also be stage performances with DJ background music and kids' dancing, a water gun competition, and a pool measuring 12m x 12m and 40cm deep. There will also be food from food trucks, handmade goods from craft artists, road bike experiences, and workshops.

Kudo Shigemine, head of the youth division of Hiranai Town Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which is organizing the event, said, "The youth division hosts an event once a year with the aim of revitalizing the local area. In the past, we've held events such as a pedestrian paradise in the shopping district and a Tyrannosaurus race, but this year we asked club members for ideas and decided for the first time to hold an event centered around 'bubbles'."

Kota Yamamoto, the originator of the project and a standing committee member, said, "The idea came about because it was catchy. I thought it would make a lot of people interested and ask, 'What are bubbles?' I want to work together with the youth division members to make this first event a success."

The second highlight of the day will be a water gun tournament. Participants will be asked to bring their own water guns and purchase a face guard with a poi (target) for 300 yen. Participants must be 5 years old or older. Participants will shoot water at each other's poi, and if they defeat one, they will collect the poi of their opponents to earn points (1 poi = 1 point). Poi can be purchased as many times as you like. Part 1 is 1 hour and 30 minutes long and will be divided into two parts, with participants allowed to join and leave midway. The winner of each part who collects the most points will be presented with a pair of tickets to Disney.

The workshop "Sparkling Glass Ball Art" will offer an art-making experience using glass floats that were once used by Hiranai scallop fishermen. Participants will be asked to draw pictures on the floats using Kitpas crayons, with the theme of "Summer in Aomori." The completed glass balls will be displayed in the venue. Hiranai Town Regional Revitalization Cooperation Volunteers will serve as instructors.

Yamamoto says, "I hope everyone enjoys being covered in bubbles and experiencing a surreal time. It's a great opportunity for families and couples to have fun together, and to capture cute photos of your loved ones and their big smiles. I hope it will be a memorable day for everyone who comes."

The event will be held from 10:30 to 14:30. Admission is 500 yen (free for children under 2 years old). The water gun tournament will be held from 11:00 to 12:30 in the first part and 12:30 to 14:00 in the second part. Please bring clothes that you don't mind getting wet, a change of clothes, and a towel. The event will be held rain or shine.