Summer Bonsai Show and Japanese Festival

A celebration of Japanese gardening and cultural traditions will take place at the Chicago Botanic Garden during the third weekend in August. The Midwest Bonsai Society will present one of the nation’s largest bonsai exhibitions beginning Friday, August 15, and continuing through Sunday, August 17.  The exhibition overlaps with the popular Malott Japanese Garden Summer Festival, a family-oriented event providing a range of cultural demonstrations and craft projects.

        Both events are free and open to the public, though parking fees apply to non-members. The Mid-America Bonsai Society Show and Sale show takes place from noon to 5 p.m. on August 15, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on August 16 and 17. The Summer Festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on August 16 and 17.

        The bonsai show will display 200 trees reflecting all types of bonsai styles, and provide free lectures and demonstrations. More than one dozen vendors will sell bonsai trees, raw nursery stock, pots, tools and other supplies. Additional workshops for both beginner and accomplished bonsai growers will be held throughout the weekend. Registration and fees are required.

        The Malott Japanese Garden Summer Festival offers family-friendly hands-on activities, such as raking miniature dry gardens, using chopsticks, and practicing calligraphy. Traditional craft projects allow children to make uchiwa, or paper fans, Japanese kites and gyotaku, or fish prints.

        The schedule of demonstrations includes:

o   10:30 a.m. Members of the Urasenke Chicago Association: Tea Ceremony

o   11:30 a.m. Anne Shimojima: Traditonal Storytelling

o   12:30 p.m. Kokyo Taiko: Taiko Drumming

o   1:30 p.m. Chicago Koto Group: Koto Harp

        Visitors can also stroll the scenic Elizabeth Hubert Malott Japanese Garden, which will be staffed with volunteers (weather permitting) to help interpret the stylized garden’s many architectural and landscaping features.