Springfield Sister Cities Association hosts the Cherry Blossom Kite and Piñata Festival presented by the Musgrave Foundation on Saturday, April 6, 2024 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Springfield Botanical Gardens, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, Mo. The free event highlights Springfield’s sister city relationships with Isesaki, Japan and Tlaquepaque, Mexico.

All ages are invited to welcome spring and learn about Japanese and Mexican culture to help foster cultural understanding and friendship in Springfield.

Bring your own kite to fly on the great lawn or purchase a kite kit to build and decorate one at the event. Kids can line up to whack a piñata nearby.

Bring lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy live Japanese and Mexican performances. Browse a mini market featuring Japanese and Mexican snacks, candies, beverages and souvenirs. Japanese, Mexican and American concessions available.

Explore the gardens to see cherry blossoms and other spring blooms. Take advantage of free admission to the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and view the historic Gray-Campbell Farmstead between the hours of 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Community involvement makes this event possible. To sign up as a volunteer, vendor or sponsor, please visit peacethroughpeople.org/cherryblossom.

The Cherry Blossom Kite and Piñata Festival is sponsored by the Musgrave Foundation and Community Foundation of the Ozarks, Renewal by Andersen, Brightspeed, Rosalie Wooten, Tom Finnie, H. Wes Pratt, and Michael and Suzanne Thomas. The event is brought to you by Springfield Sister Cities Association in partnership with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board with support from Friends of the Garden.

For more information, please visit peacethroughpeople.org/cherryblossom or call 417-864-1191.