Come fly a kite at Sister Cities’ Cherry Blossom Kite and Piñata Festival on Saturday, April 11, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, MO!

This free event celebrates Springfield’s close friendship with Isesaki, Japan and Tlaquepaque, Mexico. All ages – kids and adults are invited to fly kites in the park as well as take part in kite building and decorating, origami, piñatas and other Japanese and Mexican crafts and games at the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center.

Mexican folk dancing by Grupo Libertad, Japanese folk dancing by Kizuna, and music by the Dukes – Drury University Ukulele Club will contribute to the fun. .

Admission to the Cherry Blossom Kite and Piñata Festival is free. Children’s kite construction kits are available for $5. Japanese snacks and other concessions are available for sale.

The festival celebrates the season reopening for the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, also located in Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park. Admission is free the day of the festival. Friends of the Garden will give free guided garden tours during the festival, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden is open seasonally, open April to October, Thursdays through Mondays, 9 a.m. to dusk (or 7:30 p.m.) Regular admission is $3; children age 12 and under are admitted free.

The Cherry Blossom Kite and Piñata Festival is a partnership between the Springfield Sister Cities Association, the Missouri State University Elementary Education Program, Friends of the Garden- Japanese Garden Committee, Kickapoo High School Japanese Language Club and the Springfield-Greene County Park Board.