Taiko Drum group performances, paper lanterns and more were the highlights of the Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo. Pioneer Press photographer John Autey captured photos from the event.
The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory and dozens of lanterns are reflected in the Japanese garden pond during the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory and dozens of lanterns are reflected in the Japanese garden pond during the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Enso Daiko Taiko Drum group perform during the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Jordan Groom from St. Cloud wears a Japanese hair pin she purchased in Kyoto, Japan, earlier this year while she waits for the lantern ceremony at the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug., 18, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
A flutist with Enso Daiko Taiko Drum group perform during the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug., 18, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Volunteers use long poles to gently lower lanterns into the water during the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug., 18, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Spectators watch Taiko drummers during the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug., 18, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Lanterns are reflected in the Japanese garden pond during the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug., 18, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Cameron Jahn, facing, with Kaishin Dojo, demonstrates Kenjutsu or Japanese sword marital arts at the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug., 18, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Classmates Rowan Vietor, 15, Grayson Gerken, 15, and Ha’ani Whitlock, 17, check out Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug., 18, 2024. The Redwing trio recently spent 2 weeks in Japan and were interested in the differences in how the festivals were celebrated. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Phallyni Korng, left and Rhyse Jensen-Gorham, from Lyle, Minn., are dressed up in traditional Japanese outfits as they walk during the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug., 18, 2024. The Southern Minnesota couple came to the festival to experience the food and culture. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Aidan Graf, 16, from with Kaishin Dojo smashes a watermelon while blindfolded during a demonstration of Kenjutsu or Japanese sword marital arts at the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug., 18, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Robert Weatherup with Kaishin Dojo cuts a tatami mat during a demonstration of Kenjutsu or Japanese sword marital arts the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug., 18, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory and dozens of lanterns are reflected in the Japaneses garden pond during the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug., 18, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory and dozens of lanterns are reflected in the Japaneses garden pond during the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug., 18, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
A drummer with Enso Daiko Taiko Drum group perform during the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug., 18, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Enso Daiko Taiko Drum group perform during the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug., 18, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Volunteers use long poles to gently lower lanterns into the water during the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug., 18, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
A flutist with Enso Daiko Taiko Drum group perform during the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug., 18, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Lanterns are reflected in the Japaneses garden pond during the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug., 18, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Jordan Groom from St. Cloud wears a Japanese hair pin she purchased in Kyoto Japan earlier this year while she waits for the lantern ceremony at the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug., 18, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Spectators watch Taiko drummers during the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug., 18, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Cameron Jahn, facing, with Kaishin Dojo, demonstrates Kenjutsu or Japanese sword marital arts the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug., 18, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Classmates Rowan Vietor, 15, Grayson Gerken, 15, and Ha’ani Whitlock, 17, checkout Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug., 18, 2024. The Redwing trio recently spent 2 weeks in Japan and were interested in the differences in how the festivals were celebrated. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Phallyni Korng, left and Rhyse Jensen-Gorham, from Lyle Minnesota, are dressed up in traditional Japanese outfits as they walk during the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug., 18, 2024. The Southern Minnesota couple came to the festival to experience the food and culture. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Aidan Graf, 16, from with Kaishin Dojo smashes a watermelon while blindfolded during a demonstration of Kenjutsu or Japanese sword marital arts the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug., 18, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Robert Weatherup with Kaishin Dojo cuts a tatami mats during a demonstration of Kenjutsu or Japanese sword marital arts the Japanese Obon Festival at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul on Sunday, Aug., 18, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
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