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One of the most spectacular summer festivals in the region, Goshogawara Tachineputa is famous for its gigantic floats. Measuring 70 ft tall and weighing more than 17 tons, the floats dwarf most of the surrounding buildings as they parade through the city streets. In addition to revelers yelling "yatte-mare, yatte-mare!", the parade procession is made up of taiko drum performances on gigantic drums, traditional hand dances, and even the occasional Japanese jester. This amazing festival and its rich history dating back to the early 1900s were almost lost due to devastating fires that ravaged the city. The festival had all but disappeared when photographs and plans of the original floats were rediscovered in 1993. A small but dedicated group of citizens were determined to revive the festival to its original glory, and in 1998, after nearly 80 years of absence, Tachineputa floats once again paraded through the city streets.