Tacoma-Kitakyushu Children's Day Festival, April 26th, 10 am to 3 pm
Point Defiance Pagoda and Japanese Garden
Free to the public - Children must be accompanied by an adult
Kodomo no hi is a Japanese holiday celebrated on May 5th each year. It is a day set aside to respect children's personalities, health, and happiness. The Tacoma-Kitakyushu Sister City Committee is happy to present our first annual Children's Day Festival / Kodomo-no-hi Matsuri. With participation from our sister city of Kitakyushu and the support of local sponsors, Metro Parks, Tacoma Creates and Seattle Credit Union, our committee has partnered with over a dozen local educational organizations to showcase activities and crafts celebrating Japanese culture through games, crafts, and friendship.
Kitakyushu has been Tacoma's Sister City for over 65 years! The beautiful Japanese Garden at Point Defiance hosts two cultural artifacts gifted to us by our friends in Kitakyushu--The Shinto Shrine, and Tori Gate. Our Children's Day Festival is fittingly in the adjacent Pagoda.
Please drop in to try your hand at some Japanese games such as Kendama and Yo-Yo Tsuri! We will have volunteers from our community partners on hand to do crafts such as Origami, Koinobori, and Taketonbo (and more). This event is free to the public. The only requirement is to make sure children are accompanied by an adult at all times. And of course, to have fun!
List of Activities
Cosplay Photo Booth
Hosted by the Tacoma Public Library--Come snap your picture! We will have a decorated back drop to commemorate the day. On hand will be an assortment of props and typical masks you'd find at a Japanese festival. OR wear your own cosplay! The Garden is a fantastic place to have an impromptu photo session.
Kendama (cup and ball)
This popular game even has it's own professional competitions. Come give it a try outside in our Kendama Corral. Please be careful of others around you!
Wanage (ring toss)
Ring toss with Ramune and other assorted items is a common festival game. Located outside.
Yo Yo Tsuri (yo-yo fishing)
Outside you can try your hand at a traditional Japanese festival game of water yo-yo fishing.
Origami
Asia-Pacific Cultural Center volunteers will be doing Origami in our downstairs paper craft area.
Koinobori (carp kite)
Tacoma Buddhist Temple volunteers will be making Koinobori with visitors to their table.
Kabuto (Samurai Hat)
Volunteers from UWT's Japanese Student Association, UPS Asian Studies and Tacoma College's UKK program will be hosting paper crafts.
Taketonbo
Come make a helicopter toy with the Consulate General of Japan in Seattle.
Button Making
Tacoma Community College's UKK Program will be on had to make you a button as a souvenir of your day!
Anime Coloring Pages
Intended for our youngest visitors who may find the crafts too challenging or perhaps for those young at heart--a coloring table will be set up in our craft area w/coloring pages and supplies.
Shodo (Caligraphy)
Meito Shodo Kai Association will have a Master Calligrapher on hand to write your name in Hiragana.
Japanese Garden
Bring a picnic and enjoy the beautiful blooms).
Cherry Blossom craft with Tinkertopia (TBD)
Scenes of Kitakyushu
A photo showcase of our Sister City and some popular Children's activities.
Japanese Garden Slide Show
Tacoma-Kitakyushu Sister City has been working with Metro Parks for many years to help realize a more authentic redesign of our Japanese Garden. Come by our booth to learn more and learn about the basics of Japanese Gardens.
Performance at Noon from Yume Daiko!
Don't miss the Taiko performance. We'll be outside at noon. Taiko drums booming through Point Defiance Park is not to be missed!
If you have any questions please contact TKCC.Childrens.Day@gmail.com
