Join us for a day of wonder inspired by the legend of two star-crossed lovers, with festive decorations, cultural activities, and written wishes!
SPONSORED IN PART BY HOUSTON ARTS ALLIANCE
WHAT'S HAPPENING
Welcome Area: Children will be informed about the Tanabata event, can have their photo taken as a Tanabata character, and will receive a “passport” to collect stamps from each table of the event.
Craft Tables:
Station 1: Kirigami: Children will use safety scissors to cut paper into a Tanabata decoration. They will hang the decorations from rope or bamboo.
Station 2: Tanzaku: Children will write a wish on a strip of paper and hang it from bamboo.
Station 3: Origami: Children will make an origami magpie as part of the Tanabata myth. They will then hang the magpie on a tapestry.
Kendama: Learn how play kendama, a traditional Japanese cup-and-ball toy. See a kendama expert perform amazing tricks!
"Star Festival" Storytimes: Join us for a special reading of The Star Festival, a story about family, wishes, and the legendary reunion of star-crossed lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi.
Japanese Storytelling: Enjoy Kamishiba: an interactive Japanese storytelling experience to learn the story of the Tanabata Festival!
Tissue Paper Stars: Celebrate Tanabata, Japan's colorful festival of stars and wishes, by making a multicolored star and adding your own wish to the Wish TRee in honor of a celestial love story told for over 1,000 years.