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2010 HONORARY PATRONS
Bob & Joanna Sakata
 The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is proud to announce Bob and Joanna Sakata as Honorary Patrons for the 10th anniversary Festival to be held July 24-25 at Sloan’s Lake Park in northwest Denver.
“Nothing makes a person feel better than giving,” states Bob Sakata. “You’re happier at home, more productive at work and all that giving will come back to you in great, great lumps. If you really want to feel good, give ‘til it hurts!”
A second generation Japanese American, Bob Sakata has overcome amazing adversity in his life to be where he is today, the owner of a 3,000 acre farm near Brighton, Colorado, where each year he and his family grow 25 million ears of their now-famous sweet corn, plus onions, cabbage and broccoli. From back breaking work on the farm as a child and living in an internment camp after Pearl Harbor to a nearly fatal farm accident that was predicted to leave him unable to walk, Mr. Sakata has continued to persevere.
“In life, you don’t learn by the good things that happen, but when you face adversity and you have the character to overcome it, you learn by it,” says Mr. Sakata.
Considered one of the top 100 vegetable growers in the central United States, Bob and his 50-year partner and business manager, Joanna Sakata, are not just successful farmers, they are also amazing stewards of community service.
Mr. Sakata served as President of the Brighton Japanese American Association and Civic Chairman for many terms and on a national level, he was also the Co-chairman of the fundraising campaign to build a monument in Washington, D.C. honoring the Nisei (second-generation Japanese born immigrants) military men who gave their lives in World War II. On a local level, Bob and Joanna have contributed to the Cancer Drive, the Homeless Shelter, the Senior Center, Meals on Wheels and the new Platte Valley Medical Hospital.
Continual champions of new technology in the farming industry, they have also hosted guests and dignitaries from all over the world on Sakata Farms, including the Emperor and Empress of Japan who Bob explains “wanted to see the exercise of modern agriculture here in the United States.” Now in his 80s, Mr. Sakata remains active in his community, presently serving as the President of the Japan America Society of Colorado.
“I’m flattered to be asked to be the Honorary Patron of such a meaningful project,” comments Mr. Sakata, “and I hope I can live up to the honor.”
The CDBF Honorary Patron position was established in 2006 and is selected by the CDBF Board of Directors. The Honorary Patron is an individual(s) or entity with a proven record of philanthropic and charitable efforts that support awareness and the betterment of both the APA community and communities throughout Colorado. Past Honorary Patrons include MillerCoors, Linda and Leo Goto, Jimmy and Linda Yip, Anna and John C. Sie, and Miller/Coors.
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Vision & Mission