The Sendai Aoba Festival is one of the largest annual events in Sendai. A parade winds through the downtown area headed by the Mikoshitogyo (portable shrine) of Aoba Shrine and followed by a procession of samurai warriors, suzume odori (sparrow dance) dancers and magnificent floats. The lively music and movements of the suzume odori bring an air of excitement to the festival and the "City of Trees".