By Sandy Marvinney
Photos by Jim Dawson and Sandy Marvinney
Photos by Jim Dawson and Sandy Marvinney
A rousing lion dance delighted Saturday morning visitors and circulated the qi energy throughout the garden. Sunshine and a wide range of activities drew a record crowd of close to 1,800 happy people over the April 25 and 26 weekend.
Gardeners checked out the peonies and bamboo for sale. Children checked out the goldfish in the pond and our giant “Dragon Seeker” carp overlooking the garden. Peony painting demonstrations and bamboo flute music delighted everyone passing through Knowing the Spring Courtyard. Almost everyone enjoyed delicious offerings from the Chinese food booths, the chance to relax in a beautiful setting on a lovely day, and much more.
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| The energetic dancers, drummer, and symbol players from Northwest Kung Fu and Fitness performed to a packed courtyard, then paraded around the peony garden and concluded with an impressive demonstration of martial arts moves in front of the courtyard east gate. |
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Specialty bamboo growers and bamboo artisans from Oregon and Washington offered plants, tools, special craft items for sale, and tips on bamboo planting and care. The American Bamboo Society Northwest Chapter is a festival co-sponsor. All their members are super people and enthusiastic advocates for the Chinese Garden. |
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The peony sales corner was a magnet all weekend, with 130 Luoyang tree peonies of nine varieties on sale. The unusually warm winter spurred most of the plants in the garden to bloom early this year, but a few varieties were still showing lovely flowers. Later bloomers should be bursting forth this week. Kudos to the American Peony Art and Culture Association, festival cosponsor and the driving force behind the creation of the Luoyang Tree Peony Garden. |
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Luoyang native Yiqiao (George) Jiang demonstrated his peony painting talents in the courtyard, often to lilting bamboo flute music by Ji Jianliang. |
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Festival goers took time out to relax near Pine and Plum Pavilion. Booths offered delicious Chinese food under the expert direction of Yinzi (center rear in photo), a native of Sichuan. Note their peony-inspired outfits! |
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Yiqiao (George) Jiang gave painting tips to a budding artist during a demonstration session in the Chan Center. |
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All weekend, our giant bronze carp (“Dragon Seeker”) was a magnet for families. His perch above the peony garden offered a great view of festival activities. |
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Sweet children, charming face painting by Anastassia, beautiful craft items, and countless photo ops from garden scenes to our Xian Warrior created moments to savor. |
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the 2015 festival — cosponsors, vendors, artists, hardworking volunteers and staff — and our community friends, supporters, and visitors from throughout the Puget Sound region. Come again in 2016!