We’re welcoming guests to the 2024 Pacific Bonsai Expo this weekend from 9-5 Saturday and 9-4 Sunday. Here’s what you need to know:
1. The venue is located at 10 10th street in Oakland, California. Here’s what the entrance (which is on the east side of the building) looks like.
Main entrance to the HJ Kaiser Center for the Arts
2. Parking at the venue is sold out. Public transit (we’re two blocks from BART) and rideshare apps are your best bet, and there are public lots in the neighborhood if you’re planning to drive. If you’re staying in the Emeryville area, there’s free shuttle between the Hyatt House hotel and the venue that runs from 8:30-5:30 Saturday and 8:30-4:30 Sunday.
3. Tickets are available at the door! All-day passes are available starting at 9:00am both days and half passes are available starting at 1:00pm Saturday and 12:00pm Sunday.
4. The Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt is open extended hours this weekend from 9:30am – 3:30pm Saturday and Sunday. We’re running a free shuttle between the venue and the garden from 9:00am – 4:00pm sponsored by the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt, the Bay Area Bonsai Associates, and the East Bay Bonsai Society.
5. The exhibit is breathtaking. If you come to the event and see a tree you love, thank the exhibitor for their outstanding work.
6. The vendor area features 60 of the best bonsai vendors we could assemble. They’ve come from across the US, from Japan, and from New Zealand to provide a unique opportunity to shop for all of your bonsai fancies. If you’re curious, here’s the complete list.
7. Food and coffee will be served on-site and there are a number of restaurants in the area.
8. Demonstrations and presentations will be happening all weekend including talks by founder of the US National Exhibition Bill Valavanis, Demos by San Tan, Mike Pistello, Andrew Robson and Todd Schlafer, and a grower round table featuring some of the west coast’s top growers. Read more about our presenters.
9. Free docent tours will be available every hour on the hour from 1:00pm – 4:00pm Saturday and 10:00am – 3:00pm Sunday. Learn about the trees in the exhibit from professionals and bonsai teachers around the country!
For those who can make it, we’re looking forward to seeing you at the event. And starting next week we’ll have lots of images to share afterwards.
Trees on display at the 2022 Expo
Learn more about the event at pacificbonsaiexpo.org.
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