Sister City Program Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Corey Alderdice, ASMSA Director, presents a specially designed quilt commemorating our Sister City’s 30th anniversary.

Two delegations, one from Hot Springs and one from Hanamaki, Japan, Hot Springs’ sister city, form the highlight of the year-long Hot Springs-Hanamaki 30th Anniversary celebration. 

A 19-member delegation of Hot Springs citizens recently returned from Hanamaki, bringing back memorable experiences of outstanding hospitality, while connecting with new friends and renewing ties.

The Hot Springs delegation enjoyed a lavish banquet and each member was presented with hanten, or Japanese festival jackets.  A quilt commemorating this anniversary was presented by Hot Springs Representatives to the City of Hanamaki. 

The quilt was created by Dianne Latiolais with applique by Sherry White, both of Hot Springs Village, with the conceptual design by Dianne Latiolais and Donna Casparian. The quilt design symbolizes both shared and different aspects of our cities. 

Hanamaki’s 30th anniversary delegation will arrive in Hot Springs on Thursday, October 27. The group will meet with local education leaders and tour ASMSA and area businesses, meet with city elected officials, and participate in a lantern celebration at Family Park. 

The public is invited to take part in a Sister City Floating Lantern Celebration which will take place at Family Park on Sunday, October 29 at 6:00 p.m. Lanterns honoring and in memory of the many citizens of both of our cities will be set afloat on the pond at Family Park at dark.  For more information about Sister City visit www.HotSpringsSisterCity.org or email Mary Zunick at mzunick@hotsprings.org.

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