Gion Matsuri Festival - Better late than never

A friend of mine Japan told me about this festival Gion Matsuri they celebrated way back July. I know I should have shared it before, but sometimes there is so much you simply forget.
The festival first originated as a purification festival to appease Gods thought to cause, flood, fire etc and is one of the most festivals in Japan. The streets downtown Kyoto are closed to traffic during three nights in July, but the festival spans the entire month.