BAMBOO FESTIVAL - NC Arboretum

The American Bamboo Society’s Southeastern Chapter will host its first annual Bamboo Festival at The North Carolina Arboretum on Saturday, August 11 from 9am - 5pm, and Sunday, August 12 from 10am - 5pm.

Bamboo is a grass that grows in many different climates, from jungles to high on mountainsides. Both decorative and useful, bamboo is used in many parts of the world as food, fodder and construction material. Its versatility is evident in products ranging from kitchen tools to paper, furniture, musical instruments, and much more. The Bamboo Festival gives visitors the opportunity to learn about the artistic value and functionality of this remarkable grass.

The first day of the festival includes a lecture on how to grow and identify bamboo. In addition, David Cozzo, the Project Director for the Revitalization of Traditional Cherokee Artisan Resources at Western Carolina University, will speak about the cultural and environmental preservation of river cane. The second day focuses more on bamboo crafts with a lecture on basket making and a demonstration on bamboo meditation flutes and rattles.

Other festival activities include bamboo plant sales, educational displays, arts and crafts sales, an auction and raffle. Bamboo Festival Chairman, Stefani Oshima, as well as members of the Bamboo Society, will be available to answer questions and offer advice to visitors.

The North Carolina Arboretum events and activities are free unless otherwise indicated. For more information, visit www.ncarboretum.org or call 828-665-2492.