Cherry Trees Celebration
2026 Events
We hope to see you all next week at Como Park for the 14th Annual Celebration of the Gift of the Cherry Trees at Como Park!
Come to our grove of cherry trees near the Mannheimer Memorial (search: "Butterfly Parking Lot" on Maps), to join SPNSCC for:
Cherry Blossom Crafts
Japanese Games
Awards presented to our "When will the Cherry Trees Bloom?" winners
Free, family-friendly, and open to the public!
When: Saturday, May 2nd
Where: Cherry Tree Grove, near the Mannheimer Memorial, Como Park, 1237-1231 Kaufman Dr, St Paul, MN 55103
To help prepare materials for Cherry Tree, contact JoAnn at jab229 AT gmail DOT com.
History
In 2012, the 100th anniversary of the gift of cherry trees to Washington, DC, the Japanese government generously donated groups of twenty cherry trees to thirty-six American cities. St. Paul was chosen in large part because of the almost 60 year history of being sister city with Nagasaki. Bill Pesek, SPNSCC board member and landscape architect with the Parks and Recreation Department, arranged for them to be planted near the Mannheimer Memorial in Como Park, beginning to tie the Global Harmony Labyrinth, the restored lily pond, and the Charlotte Ordway Memorial Japanese Garden together. The trees were planted and dedicated on June 9, 2012. Honored guests included Ichiro Sawada, Deputy Consul from Chicago, Representative Betty McCollum, plus city council members, former Mayor George Latimer, and Mayor Coleman. Sansei Yonsei Kai performed two sakura dances. Leo Hansen performed the shakuhachi flute at the ceremony and guests greeted at the Japanese Garden by western flute player Ryusuke Jono.