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Japanese Fall Festival returns to Mizumoto Stroll Garden Sept. 7-9

 

Springfield, MO, August 6, 2012 - The Springfield Sister Cities Association, with support from the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, hosts the 17th Japanese Fall Festival Friday, Sept. 7, through Sunday, Sept. 9, in the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, 2400 S. Scenic Ave.

 

This year’s festival includes special Shi-Shi-Mai (Lion Dance) performances, a professional Japanese storyteller, the Osuwa Taiko Drummers, Japanese top spinning, martial arts, a kimono fashion show and a wide array of other activities and performances.

 

The three-day festival runs from 5:30 – 10 p.m., Friday night; 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday; and 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday. Admission is $7/adult; $5/ kids 3-12; toddlers age 2 and younger are free. Weekend passes may be purchased at the gate for $10/adult; $7/kids.

 

This year’s highlights include:

  • Friday night opening ceremonies with a children’s gathering comprised of hundreds of localKindergarten-through-fifth grade elementary students, who were invited as ambassadors to represent their classes from every Springfield public elementary school;
  • Shi-Shi Mai (Lion Dance), from the Japanese Folk Dance Institute of New York- more at japanesefolkdance.org
  • Japanese Storyteller Kuniko Yamamoto- more at kunikotheater.com
  • Osuwa Taiko Drummers, from St. Loui- more at stltaiko.org
  • Traditional Japanese top spinner Hiroshi Tada, from St. Louis
  • Local martial artists groups, including sword demonstrations
  • Local musical group The Denzil and Jonathan Band, who will travel to Springfield sister city Isesaki, Japan in August
  • Hands-on kids activities, from the Kickapoo High School Japanese Club, including chop sticks instruction, face painting, origami, Japanese-style yo-yos

 

The festival also hosts daily tea ceremonies in the lakeside tea house, nightly candlelight strolls through the garden, local performers, authentic Japanese food and regional artisans and merchants. A large tent-top market features Japanese souvenirs and apparel for sale, with all proceeds benefiting SSCA and the Japanese Garden. For a copy of this year’s performance schedule, available Sept. 1, visit PeaceThroughPeople.org.

 

For media inquiries, call Cindy Jobe, Festival Coordinator, 417-864-1341, or Jenny Fillmer Edwards, Public Information Administrator for the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, at 417-874-2176 or 417-224-5510.