(Photo courtesy Seattle Chinese Garden)

Looking ahead to next weekend – you might want to set some time aside to visit the Seattle Chinese Garden on Puget Ridge, as the 4th annual Peony and Bamboo Festival will be happening both days, 10 am-4 pm Saturday and Sunday (April 16th and 17th):

This family-friendly event, celebrating two of China’s horticultural treasures, kicks off with a rousing lion dance at 11 am on Saturday. A festival centerpiece is the tree-peony display garden with more than 400 plants of two dozen varieties from Luoyang, China’s peony capital for more than 1,500 years.

Festival activities include talks and demonstrations on plant care, plant sales including unusual varieties of bamboo from specialty growers in Washington and Oregon, cultural entertainment and Chinese artist painting demonstrations, and sale of art and craft items. Plus, Chinese food booths will offer a variety of dishes and snacks. Visit the SCG website Tuesday for the schedule of activities.

Suggested adult donation is $5.

Co-sponsoring next weekend’s festival are the American Peony Art and Culture Association and American Bamboo Society Northwest Chapter. To reach the Chinese Garden, take the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) north entrance at 6000 16th SW.