Yoiyama(14-16th July) & the Yama Hoko Junko Grand Parade(17th July) -The Gion Festival-

The biggest events of the festival are, without doubt, the Yoiyama (14-16th) and the Yama Hoko Junko (17th). Yoiyama is the ''pre-party'' of the parade. Each district display their Hoko or Yama floats in their districts to perform and treat the guests. The downtown area around Karasuma and Shijo are car-free and hundreds of food and game stalls are lined up.

The parade of colorful Yama and Hoko are carried and pulled through Kyoto's downtown streets by teams dressed in traditional outfits. The most interesting thing to see during the procession is when the big wheeled Hoko floats are turned around the corners at the intersections of Kawaramachi-Shijo, Kawaramachi-Oike and Oike-Shinmachi. This is an incredible feat and requires special teamwork and old style Japanese ingenuity.

(From: http://www.kyotoguide.com/ver2/thismonth/gionmatsuri12.html)