Asia is a lot closer than you think.
Transporting visitors for a weekend of demonstrations and entertainment, the Destination Asia Festival arrives Aug. 2-4 at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle.
“Destination Asia is a fabulous way for visitors to experience the food, art, entertainment and culture of 10 countries across Asia, without the need for a plane ticket,” said Jenelle Hardtke, special events manager at The Morton Arboretum. “We are thrilled to bring this popular event back this year and to offer innovative activities and demonstrations.”
More than 15,000 people are expected over the course of the weekend.
“Visitors will explore the diverse cultures of Asia through music, dance, food and more,” Hardtke said. “Whether you drop by a booth to fold origami, enjoy live dance and musical performances, view martial-arts demonstrations, or snack on Asian cuisine, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”
The festival is family-friendly by design.
“There is so much to see and learn about Asian cultures,” Hardtke said. “Returning favorites are taiko drummers, Japanese archery and cricket demonstrations. During sumo wrestling demonstrations, youth volunteers are often asked to help demonstrate on stage, and many of the martial arts and dance troops encourage audience participation.”
The sixth-annual festival kicks off 6 p.m. Aug. 2 with a formal ceremony, performances and a Japanese floating lantern display — Toro Nagashi — on Meadow Lake.
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“Each lantern symbolizes a memory of a loved one, important life moment, or a wish for the future,” Hardtke said.
Lanterns can be purchased for $10 and decorated prior to the ceremonial release at about 8 p.m. Quantities are limited, and advance purchase is recommended at mortonarb.org/toro-nagashi.
Naturally, Destination Asia has a significant tree connection as well.
“The festival also provides an opportunity to learn about and enjoy our tree collections from Asia, including magnificent ginkgo trees and the endangered paperbark maple tree from China,” Hardtke said.
New this year, arboretum docents will be leading “Amazing Asian Arbor Tales” at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
“Docents will be showcasing various items that, at first glance, seem to be unrelated to trees and hear how each is intrinsically tied to nature and trees,” Hardtke said. “In addition, photos and directions associated with the arboretum’s tree collections from China, Japan and Korea will provide visitors with the opportunity to further explore and find these trees on the arboretum grounds.”
Conservation home and abroad is key.
“Destination Asia is intended to educate and open visitors eyes to the breadth of trees and shrubs in the United States that are native to Asia,” Hardtke said. “This includes a wide variety of trees, ranging from maples to pines.”
Since the early 1990s, Kris Bachtell, vice president of collections and facilities, and colleagues have often traveled to China to collect specimens of paperbark maple and other Asian plants.
“Collecting specimens from the wild allows the arboretum to conserve and study endangered trees,” Hardtke said. “By growing a number of these trees in our collections, we can learn more about them and preserve them for the study and enjoyment of tree champions long into the future.”
The arboretum is also involved with countries such as Myanmar, China and Taiwan to help build capacity and shape environmental policy for better conservation and management of their forests and trees.
“Asia is currently undergoing significant changes in many aspects of its economy, ecology and culture,” Hardtke said. “Our scientists and arborists work with colleagues in these countries to meet opportunities and challenges in both urban and natural environments.”
Destination Asia Festival
When: 6-9 p.m. Aug. 2; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 3 and 4
Where: The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle
Admission: $10-$15
Information: www.mortonarb.org/events
Jen Banowetz is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.