Bonsai Fest! is a two-day celebration over World Bonsai Day/Mother’s Day-weekend – May 11-12, 2019 – and will be held at the former Weyerhaeuser headquarters in Federal Way.

Here’s more info from organizers:

Pacific Bonsai Museum hosts its second annual Bonsai Fest!: its biggest, public event on its most crowd-drawing weekend of the year. This year, Bonsai Fest! features: the Puget Sound Bonsai Association’s (PBSA) annual spring show; opening day for two, Pacific Bonsai Museum special exhibits; bonsai-making classes and demonstrations; gifts for plant-loving moms; plus festive food and beverages, pop-up shops, entertainment, and art activities for all ages.

World Bonsai Day is commemorated by bonsai-fans worldwide on the second Saturday of May as a gesture of international friendship, cooperation, and peace. May is also typically peak-bloom month at the Museum, making it the best time to see azaleas and other flowering bonsai in the Museum’s collection.

Bonsai Fest! activities:

Puget Sound Bonsai Association (PBSA) Annual Spring Show

- - - In the Pavilion; all weekend

PSBA club members display dozens of their best bonsai and vie for Best in Show. Club members’ will demonstrate how they make bonsai and will answer general questions about their artworks and practices.

Special Exhibit–‘Living Art of Bonsai: Principles of Design

- - - Main display area; through September 29

This exhibit picks up where our 2018 exhibit, Elements of Design, left off. One-by-one, the exhibit breaks-down design elements and principles used by bonsai artists to make extraordinary works of art. A curated subset of the Museum’s collection demonstrates each design element and principle and shows how these are found in trees and in other works of art. As visitors explore the exhibit, they will gain a deeper appreciation for and understanding of bonsai and unlock the keys to designing stunning works of living art.

Special Exhibit–Gnarly: The Dan Robinson Retrospective

- - - Pinwheel display area, through September 29

Gnarly honors a lifetime of work by local, international legend Dan Robinson, proprietor of Elandan Gardens, Gorst, WA. As Robinson turns 80-years-old, Pacific Bonsai Museum looks back on his still-flourishing career as an American bonsai renegade who pioneered unorthodox techniques and champions the gnarly, twisted forms of aged trees in nature. From his days with the ‘Bonsai Bums’–who helped establish the Pacific Northwest bonsai scene–to the groundbreaking of his unique local attraction, Elandan Gardens, see a slice of Robinson’s world displayed in installations of bonsai, rock, and wood representing each decade of his career.

KusaMama Kits on sale all weekend / demonstrations on 5/12 (Mother’s Day)
For Mother’s Day, we are offering kits to make ‘KusaMama’–Kusamono for moms. Kusamono (translated as ‘grass thing’) are small, informal, potted compositions displayed alone or as an accent planting in bonsai presentations. DYI-KusaMama-kits will be on sale and experts will demonstrate how to make these beautiful gifts.

Wine & Beer Garden

- - - May 11 & May 12 / 11am – 3:30pm

Chill out in a special beer, wine & picnicking space.

Food Trucks – Pizza & Ice Cream

- - - May 11 / 11am – 4pm

Sirius Wood Fired Pizza’s truck will be serving something for everyone. Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten Free options available.

Bliss Small Batch Creamery will be scooping their delicious locally-made ice cream.

WHEN: 2 days: Saturday, May 11, 2019 (World Bonsai Day), 10 am to 4 pm; and Sunday, May 12, 2019 (Mother’s Day), 10 am to 4 pm.

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.

PARKING: Free parking is available across from the Museum at the West/Garden Parking Lot; handicapped parking is available at the museum entrance.

COST: Admission to Bonsai Fest! is free; there is a $10 suggested donation for those who are able to support the Museum.

MUSEUM HOURS 2018

- - Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 am to 4 pm.
  - March 21 to Sept 19: Extended 3rd Thursday hours, 10 am to 7 pm. (Other days the same as above.)
  - The Museum is closed: Every Monday as well as Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

MORE INFO:
The public can call the Museum with any questions in advance at (253) 353-7345 or email [email protected].