The Hot Springs National Park Sister City Foundation will host the inaugural Cherry Blossom Festival from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 10 in the second-floor community room at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 228 Spring Street. Proceeds from the family-friendly event will benefit the Sister City Student Scholarship Fund which helps support the next student delegation visit to Hanamaki, Japan in June.
The event will feature wine, a silent auction of quality items and cultural demonstrations. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be provided by Chartwells/Lake Hamilton School District in partnership with the Arkansas Career Training Institute (ACTI). Other activities include the Bon Odori dancers from Hot Springs Village; interactive cultural demonstrations by Aya Murata, Japan Outreach Initiative Coordinator for Hendrix College; a sake class, taught by Ben Bell; and Japanese cultural displays.
Event sponsors include the Dorothy Morris Foundation; ACTI and Chartwells/Lake Hamilton School District; and Arvest Bank. Tickets are $35 for adults, $25 for students 18 and under. For ticket information or to donate a silent auction item, contact Sister City Program Executive Director Mary Zunick, 545-6960.