It looks like the 2016 5^th US National Bonsai Exhibition will be well attended. Nearly 600 guests have already pre-registered and they are still arriving daily. It’s fortunate our venue has 55,000 square feet to accommodate the visitors, over 300 bonsai, 50 suiseki and large vendor area. We also have a concourse with tables where visitors can sit, relax and enjoy the company of fellow bonsai hobbyists, and professionals too. The deadline for the weekend pass price has expired, but people are warmly invited to visit on Saturday or Sunday or both days to make a complete bonsai weekend.

The Award Banquet and Benefit Auction is sold out with 450 guests. Perhaps we should get a larger room for our next 2018 exhibition. With that number of people attending we will have a seating chart where you can write your name next to the table you would like to sit. Friends can see each other’s names and sign up accordingly. The seating chart will be at the bonsai registration table at check in and also at the main entrance on Saturday.

I’ve been busy preparing for the exhibition in addition to designing three alcove displays and four other formal displays in my garden for people who want to see what we are doing at the International Bonsai Arboretum.

The International Bonsai Arboretum will have an Open House on both Saturday and Sunday, September 10-11, 2016 from 11am to 4pm. On Friday, September 9^th, we will also have a special Open House from 4 to 7pm to accommodate vendors and others who are busy at the exhibition and cannot visit during the day. All vendors as well as friends are welcome to visit on Friday evening before dinner and other events.

Some beautiful suiseki have been submitted for the Invitational Suiseki Exhibit. Stones which were mailed from across the country have been matched to display tables and companion plants to create formal displays.

We are all working hard to be prepared when the doors open on Saturday morning. I look forward to welcoming everyone to the 2016 5^th US National Bonsai Exhibition.