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Isesaki Delegation visits Springfield for Fall Festival

For the first time in over a year, Springfield welcomes a cultural delegation from Isesaki, Japan for the Japanese Fall Festival. At the festival they will be performing tea ceremony, ikebana (Japanese flower-arranging), a kimono fashion show, and tradition Japanese festival dances.

Isesaki turning Kinetic Man sculpture
at Jordan Valley Park the group leader turns the gears that make Kinetic Man sculpture move

The visiting women — ten private citizens and one city representative — were chosen to represent Isesaki by the Isesaki Traditional Preservation Society. The women’s ages range from late 20’s to 70’s, and for at least half the group, it is the first time they have ventured outside of Japan.

On Friday before the opening of the festival, the delegation toured the Creamery Arts Center, Jordan Valley Park, the new Sister Cities Plaza inside the Gateway Park which is currently under construction.

mapping Japan
looking for Japan and Isesaki at the new Sister Cities Plaza

During their six-day visit to our city, they will be staying with volunteer host families, do some shopping, and tour Fantastic Caverns and other local sites. The Japanese visitors also have free time to spend with their host families to get a taste of local cultural and customs.

Touring Jordan Valley Park
touring Jordan Valley Park
touring Gateway Park
touring Gateway Park
Isesaki cultural delegation
group photo outside the Creamery Arts Center

All photos by Russ RuBert.