UPDATE: Kite and Piñata Festival Cancelled

Springfield Sister Cities Association invites you to welcome culture and the spring season at the Cherry Blossom Kite and Piñata Festival on Saturday, April 4, 2020 from 11 a.m.-4 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 and line your little ones up to try their hand at breaking piñatas filled with candy. Build and decorate your own kite or mini piñata for $5 while supplies last.

Enjoy performances by Japanese magic storyteller Yasu Ishida, Mariachi Flor de Missouri, Kizuna Japan America Friendship Group, Grupo Latinoamericano, Springfield Cosplay and Lancaster Station.

Treat yourself to Japanese, Mexican or American cuisine provided by local vendors and Springfield-Greene County Park Board Concessions. Browse the market of Japanese and Mexican snacks, candies, beverages and souvenirs.

Additional activities are provided by Missouri State University’s Foreign Language Institute and International Friends program, Parents as Teachers, Kickapoo High School’s Japanese Language Club, Springfield Cosplay and Springfield Regional Arts Council.

Take advantage of free admission to the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and tour the historic Gray-Campbell Farmstead between the hours of 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Volunteers are needed to assist with kite and mini pinata building and decorating, and sponsorship opportunities are available starting at $100.

For more information, please visit peacethroughpeople.org/cherry-blossom or call 417-874-2962.

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.