Celebrate spring and culture at the Cherry Blossom Kite and Piñata Festival on Saturday, April 6, 2019 from 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at the Springfield Botanical Gardens, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, Mo. The free event for all ages highlights Springfield’s sister city relationship with Isesaki, Japan and Tlaquepaque, Mexico.
Bring a kite to fly on the great lawn or build and decorate one for $5. Enjoy Japanese and Mexican performances and activities, and little ones can try their hand at breaking piñatas filled with candy.
Mariachi Flor de Missouri performs at 11:30 a.m.; Springfield Cosplay performs at 12:30 p.m.; Kizuna Japan America Friendship Club performs at 1:30 p.m.; and Uke 66 performs at 2:30 p.m.
Ongoing activities are provided by Unidad 8: Grupo de los Scouts, Springfield Cosplay, Kickapoo High School’s Japan Club, Parents as Teachers, SPARC, and Springfield Regional Arts Council.
Take advantage of free admission to the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden from 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. The Stroll Garden is open daily from March 30-October 31; admission is regularly $4.
Formed in 1985, the 7.5-acre Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden is the oldest attraction at the Springfield Botanical Gardens. It is an authentic representation of traditional Japanese landscape design featuring a large koi pond, moon bridge, meditation garden and tea house. The Stroll Garden is maintained through partnership with Springfield’s sister city of Isesaki, Japan, the Springfield-Greene County Park Board and Friends of the Garden.
Newly installed concrete pathways in the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden were made possible by the generosity of Conco Companies and are part of the first phase of the Stroll Garden’s planned improvements. The new pathways increase guest safety and contribute to the garden’s peaceful aesthetic.
The Cherry Blossom Kite and Pinata Festival is brought to you by Springfield Sister Cities Association in partnership with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board and Friends of the Garden and with support from Springfield Public Schools.
