
Bonsai Fest
Join us on World Bonsai Day and Mother’s Day weekend!
BonsaiFest! is Back
Whether it’s your first time ever seeing bonsai in person or you are a devoted bonsai practitioner, our third BonsaiFest! offers delights to everyone of all ages. Join us May 7 and 8 (Mother’s Day weekend) at Pacific Bonsai Museum where you can see hundreds of beautiful bonsai in an enchanting, woodsy setting. BonsaiFest! weekend, at the height of spring blooms, is a spectacular and refreshing time of year to visit the Museum.
See:
-Azalea, wisteria, and other lovely flowering bonsai likely to be at ‘peak-bloom.’
-Opening Day for two special exhibitions — Exquisite bonsai presented in ’A Gallery of Trees: Living Art of Pacific Bonsai Museum’ and a Retrospective exhibition featuring bonsai created by local bonsai master/author and former Pacific Bonsai Museum Curator, David De Groot.
-The Puget Sound Bonsai Association (PSBA) Spring Show — Aisles of diverse bonsai created by PSBA members who present their Spring Show and ask the public to vote on their favorites.
Watch, learn, and share:
-Live bonsai demonstrations — see how the bonsai are maintained and talk to bonsai artists about their craft; Saturday, 10am to 3pm and Sunday, 12pm to 4pm.
-Docent-led tours of the collection– ask questions and share insights; Tours start at 12pm and 1pm and last ~45 minutes, both days; Meet at the Conservatory. No sign up required.
-Take an independent audio tour of the collection — currently offered in Chinese (Mandarin); English and Japanese versions coming soon!
-Pacific Bonsai Museum Members Only: Save the Date! Saturday, May 7 at 3 pm Join us for an opening reception.
-Pacific Bonsai Museum Members Only: Curator’s Tour: Get the inside scoop on how our team achieves a five-year-long artistic process for each bonsai.
Shop, eat, drink, and play:
-Pop up shopping — bonsai, pots, bonsai books, gifts, and cards for the nature-lover.
-Fun food and beverage trucks with savory and sweet hand pies from 314 pie.
-Art Station for kids and families; free bonsai coloring sheets and easy bonsai learning activities available.
-Have a custom poem written for Mom by Poetic Presence, poet Alexandria Manalo, 10am to 2pm both Saturday and Sunday.
-Photobooth Experiences — send someone a bonsai-beautiful e-greeting featuring your lovely likeness captured by our BonsaiFest! photographer (available Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 8, only, 11am to 3pm).
WHEN:
Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8, 10am to 4pm
WHERE:
The Pacific Bonsai Museum is located on the campus of the former Weyerhaeuser headquarters at 2515 S 336th Street, Federal Way, WA 98001. Visitors are advised to search ‘Pacific Bonsai Museum’ in google maps on their GPS-enabled devices to navigate to the Museum and should enter Weyerhaeuser Road from the East entry from Weyerhaeuser Way South.
PARKING:
Free parking is available across from the Museum at the Garden Parking Lot; wheelchair-accessible parking and passenger drop-off/pick-up is available at the Museum entrance.
COST:
Admission is free. There is a $12 suggested donation for those who are able to support the Museum.
MUSEUM HOURS:
Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 am to 4 pm.
MORE INFO:
The public can call the Museum at (253) 353-7345 or email info@pacificbonsaimuseum.org.
Hourly Schedule
May 7
- 10A - 4P
- Puget Sound Bonsai Association Annual Spring Show
- 10A - 4P
- A Gallery of Trees Exhibit Opens
- 10A - 4P
- DeGroot Retrospective Exhibit Opens
- 10A
- Art Tent and Poetry Tent activities begin
- Bonsai coloring sheet, drawing activities and Scavenger hunt activity for kids
- 10A
- Asia Pacific Gardening Shop Opens
- Bonsai trees, tools, soil and books
- 10A - 4P
- 314Pie Food Truck
- Sweet and savory handpies
- 10A
- Bonsai Demo with Joel Schwarz
- 10A
- Museum Pop-up Shop Opens
- 10A
- City of Federal Way
- Welcomes your feedback on the City's Comprehensive Plan
- 12P
- Guided Tour Begins
- The tour will meet at the Conservatory and take about 45min
- 1P
- Bonsai Demo with Joel Schwarz
- 1P
- Guided Tour Begins
- The tour will meet at the Conservatory and take about 45min
- 3P
- MEMBERS-ONLY Event
- 3P
- Bonsai Demo with Wayne Burns
- 4P
- Event Ends
May 8
- 10A - 4P
- Puget Sound Bonsai Association Annual Spring Show
- 10A - 4P
- A Gallery of Trees Exhibit Opens
- 10A - 4P
- DeGroot Retrospective Exhibit Opens
- 10A
- Art Tent and Poetry Tent activities begin
- Bonsai coloring sheet, drawing activities and Scavenger hunt activity for kids
- 10A
- Museum Pop-up Shop Opens
- 10A
- Asia Pacific Gardening Shop Opens
- Bonsai trees, tools, soil and books
- 10A
- 314 Pies
- Sweet and savory handpies
- 11A
- BonsaiFest! Photobooth
- Have your photo taken with mom
- 12P
- Guided Tour Begins
- The tour will meet at the Conservatory and take about 45min
- 1P
- Bonsai Demo with Lynn
- 4P
- Event Ends