This Weekend in Springfield - 11th Annual Japanese Fall Festival

Story by: Guest Contributor

First posted on 09-04-2007

11th Annual Japanese Fall Festival
The Springfield Sister Cities Association will host its 11th annual Japanese Fall Festival, Friday, Sept. 7 through Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007, at the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, 2400 S. Scenic Ave.

The three-day Festival runs 6 to 10 p.m., Friday, Sept. 7, with a kids walking parade led by Ronald McDonald; opening ceremony; sword demonstration; and performance by a NOH Theatre (pronounced “NO") group, the visiting performance group from Springfield’s sister city of Isesaki, Japan.

Saturday and 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.

NOH Theatre is a performance with traditional Japanese chanting, dancing, costumes and masks, and opportunities for audience participation. Other weekend performers include: The Garbanzos; Iaido sword demonstrations; St. Louis Osuwa Taiko drummers; Springfield Trio; martial arts demonstrations; and Springfield Regional Opera’s Madame Butterfly.

Festival highlights include: Japanese food, tea ceremonies at the lake-side tea house, nightly candlelight strolls through the garden, authentic Japanese souvenirs, a seminar tent with speakers scheduled every half hour, and a hands-on activity center for children. Booth vendors include gardening, traditional Japanese crafts, Koi fish, martial arts, photography, and many others.

Discount adult tickets are available at Springfield Metro McDonald’s locations for $3 through Thursday, Sept. 6. A $1 donation from every advanced ticket sold goes to the Ronald McDonald House of the Ozarks.

For a complete schedule or more information, visit or call the Sister Cities Office at (417) 864-1191.

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