Japanese Fall Festival a go this weekend

“The show will go on,” Event Coordinator Kristin McDaniel said, despite forecasts for rainy weather into next week.

The 11th annual event will be held at the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, 2400 S. Scenic Ave.

From 6–10 tonight, scheduled events include an opening ceremony, a kids’ walking parade led by Ronald McDonald, a sword demonstration and a performance by NOH Theatre group, the visiting group from Springfield’s sister city, Isesaki, Japan. NOH uses traditional Japanese chanting, dancing, costumes and masks, and audience participation.

Festival hours on Saturday and Sunday are 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

Highlights include Japanese food, tea ceremonies at the lakeside tea house, nightly candlelight strolls, authentic Japanese souvenirs, a seminar tent with speakers every half hour, traditional Japanese crafts, Koi fish, martial arts and photography.

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.

A complete schedule is available at www.springfieldmo.gov/sistercities.

Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 3–12 and free for toddlers.