Japanese Fall Festival at the Japanese Stroll Garden

Scott(e) and family came to Springfield to attend the Japanese Fall Festival with me and my husband today. It turned out to be a nice afternoon. The rain let up and we enjoyed the demonstration of Ku-Budo: Japanese traditional Martial Arts demonstrated by Keisuke Nishimura, an 18th generation instructor from Isesaki, Japan.

We also really enjoyed the Hibiki Taiko Drums.

We all had fun visiting the many booths there, too. We sampled the steamed soy beans, which we all liked very much.

My sister-in-law and I purchased some bromeliads. I bought three small ones and the nice lady running the booth gave me one for free when I asked her the price of another one I liked that wasn't marked!

Tomorrow is the last day of the Fall Festival.

For more information visit Springfield-Greene County Park Board:

"Sunday festival hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Admission is $5 for adults; $2 for children ages 3-12; and free for toddlers.

Festival highlights include: authentic Japanese drum performance called "taiko", tea ceremonies at the lake-side tea house, nightly candlelight strolls through the garden, authentic Japanese souvenirs, local artisans and performers, kimono shows, early Japanese archeology discussion, and a hands-on activity center for children. Booth vendors include gardening, traditional Japanese crafts, Koi fish, martial arts, photography, and many others."

Tomorrow's schedule of events, as posted at the Park Board's Web site:

Sunday, September 7

12:00 - Tea Ceremony Introduction (Nawa - no -Kai Isesaki, Japan)
12:30 - Kimono Demonstration (Nawa-no-Kai Isesaki, Japan)
1:00 - Hibiki Taiko Drum (from Oklahoma)
2:00 - Martial Arts (Tracy’s Karate)
3:00 - Garbonzo’s (2005 Isesaki Festival Performers)
4:00 - Pat’s Clogging (2008 Isesaki Festival Performers)
5:00 - Mosaic Vocal Ensemble (2009 Isesaki Festival Performers)
6:00 - TaeKwonDo (National Progressive TaeKwonDo Association)
6:45 - Ko-Budo: Japanese traditional Martial Arts "old martial way."(Nawa - no - Kai Isesaki, Japan)

*Hera Hera Yukai: Enjoy life/being happy talk show (Jesse Mandera) This show will have several brief performances

** Schedule subject to change in inclement weather**