Botanica will officially open its new Chinese Garden of Friendship this week on Friday, June 5 at 3 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, dance performances, and tours of the new garden until 4:30 p.m. But it will also celebrate with a week full of special activities for both adults and families with children.
Most of these activities are included with general admission, except where otherwise noted. Admission to the gardens is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and military, $5 for ages 3-12, and free for members and children 2 years old and younger.
Friday, June 5 From 3-4:30 p.m. Grand opening and ribbon-cutting with speeches from Director Marty Miller and Mayor Jeff Longwell. Enjoy dance performers, tours of the new garden, and tea and treats.
Saturday, June 6 From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., make your own Chinese paper fans or dragon puppet, and learn about fun painting techniques and more at craft stations through the garden and terrace. Included with general admission.
Sunday, June 7 From 1:30-3 p.m. take a Tai Chi Class with Grace Wu and enjoy Chinese Tea refreshments. Included with general admission.
Monday, June 8 From 6:30-8:30 p.m., take a painting class with Paint the Towne (BYOB). Admission is free but space is limited so reservations are required. Call Natalie Mahaffay at 316-264-0448 ext. 107.
Tuesday, June 9 From 5:30-7:30 p.m., enjoy Botanica’s popular Tuesdays on the Terrace with cocktails and live music in the Chinese Garden of Friendship and on the Terrace. An Asian-fused dinner is available for $8. Admission to Tuesdays on the Terrace is $7 for non-members and $3 for members.
Wednesday, June 10 The weekly Lunchtime Lecture will highlight the art featured in the garden and the skills and knowledge of talented Chinese artists Jennie Becker and Chiaw-Weai Loo. Lunch will be served at 11 a.m. and costs $8. The lecture begins at 12:15 p.m. From 5:30-8:30 p.m. there will be a Sister Cities Celebration and Chinese beer tasting, Ping Pong exhibition by Wichita Table Tennis Association, and information about Kaifeng and the Qingming mural. Included with admission.
Thursday, June 11 Special $3 Thursday admission all day and Family Game Night from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Grace Wu will be teaching Kung Fu from 5:30-7:30 p.m., and Family Movie Night with Karate Kid will begin at sunset. No reservations are required.
Friday, June 12 From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Botanica will have a Chinese Tea tasting courtesy of The Spice Merchant, Koi kites for children, and scarf-making activities. General Admission applies, but reservations are required by calling Natalie Mahaffay at 316-264-0448 ext. 107.
Botanica is located at 701 Amidon St. in Wichita, Kansas. To learn more about the Chinese Garden of Friendship, and all of the other gardens, visit http://botanica.org/gardens.