Looking forward to O-Bon 2023!
Another hot and sunny summer is drawing to a close, and that means it's time again for the annual Japanese O-Bon Festival at Como Park! This event is organized by the St. Paul - Nagasaki Sister Cities Committee (SPNSCC), the Japan-America Society of Minnesota (JASM), and Como Park. Every year, SPNSCC hosts local and visiting performance artists of Japanese music and dance and sell customizable lanterns to be floated on the Lily Pond at sunset. JASM leads Japanese cultural activities including crafts, games, and storytelling, and Como brings in vendors, food trucks, martial arts dojos, and more!
This year, we have another great line-up of performances and some exciting new art and food vendors. We also have a one-time-only headlining act coming all the way from Gifu, Japan (to be announced soon!).
This year’s stage performance schedule:
3:00 PM Taikollaborative: taiko drums, on the steps of the Conservatory
3:30 PM Sansei Yonsei Kai: traditional dances
4:00 PM Sakura Kai: koto music
4:30 PM Thunderwave and Momoko Tanno: festival dances and folk songs
5:00 PM Harisen Daiko: taiko drums
5:30 PM MinnesoDance: yosokoi style dances
6:00 PM Peaceful Forest: Kato Family Taiko, special guests from Gifu, Japan
6:30 PM Sweets Kendamas Foundation: kendama tricks and workshop
7:00 PM Enso Daiko: taiko drums
7:30 PM Community Bon-Odori Dance, led by MinneSo Dance
8:00 PM Sunset and lantern launch on the Frog Pond
Some exciting new vendors include:
Origami by Kannika
Cha-Ami Japanese Cultural Center
Traditional Karate-do Academy of the UMN
Minnesota Jo (Jojutsu)
O-Bon is at Como Park, in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Sunday, August 20th, from 3:00pm to 9:00pm, with lanterns being launched on the water at 8:00pm.
More information can be found here:
https://comozooconservatory.org/como/obon-2023/
Tickets must be purchased online, either in advance or on your phones while you wait in line at the event. There will be no in-person cash ticket sales.
The link to purchase tickets is:
https://webstore1.centaman.net/comozooconservatory/calendar/1000014
When: Sunday, August 20th, from 3:00pm to 9:00pm
Where: Como Park, 1225 Estabrook Dr, St Paul, MN 55103
Tickets: $5 per adult (ages 13-64), $3 per child or senior (ages 3-12 or 65+), and free for children under 3 years old.
O-Bon is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Japanese culture, make new connections, and enjoy a fun day with family and friends.
We hope to see you all there!
Photo: Floating lanterns at Como Park.
