Nikka Yuko hosts fall festival

By Justin Seward - Lethbridge Herald on September 18, 2024.

Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden hosted a two-day Aki Matsuri Fall Festival over the weekend.
On Saturday during Aki Matsuri, which means fall in Japanese, attendees could enjoy Artists in the Garden, a live band performance by Jolene Draper and Steve Martin and in the evening a moon-light viewing.
The Sunday experience saw a Hibikiya Taiko Performance, Iaido demonstration and a free Kamakura Dome experience.
“Japan is well known for their festivals,” said Eric Granson, the Garden’s marketing and events manager.
“We like to try and keep on some of those traditions here as well at Nikka Yuko and part of that is having those festivals, bring in outside entertainment, help support the art scene here with Artists in the Garden and really just help out the community, be a part of the community and also help people support the community.”
People could enjoy anything from digital artists who make stickers and postcards to water colour artists and pottery.
“(A) bunch of the wide arrange of artists that Lethbridge has to offer,” said Granson.
“It’s nice to give them that free platform to be able to sell their art. I know it’s tough to be an artist and so allow them the free space and we give them a free table here.”
Granson wanted attendees to learn about the cultural things.
“Take in the tours and the dome experience, and the tea ceremonies, and really just take a look at all the artists we have here, and to celebrate the fall time and what it brings and what it means to the community,” said Granson.
Lisa Dribnenki was selling her pottery, designer leather and recycled leather earrings and crochet.
“I’m a transplant to Lethbridge and trying to make community is important,” said Dribnenki.
“It just seemed like such a great opportunity to come and for one be in this beautiful place and two, … hopefully later on I’ll get to meet some of the fellow artists and also just to kind of represent Lethbridge.”
Dribnenki lives an abundant life through creative ways.
“For me creativity is such a big piece of mental wellness and it brings me joy and it gets me out of my head a little bit,” said Dribnenki.
There were seven artists in the garden on Saturday.

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