Annual Koi Show Taking Place This Weekend at Woodward Park

A free, family-friendly outdoors event is happening this weekend at Woodward Park. The 41^st Annual Koi Show is happening at the Woodward Park Group Activity Area, next to the Shinzen Friendship Garden. Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event is hosted by the Central California Koi Society. “The koi fish exhibited at our show range in size from six to 36 inches long,” said Richele Kleiser, President of CCKS. “Most people don’t know how massive, friendly and beautiful these koi fish really are.”

You may be asking yourself what is koi? It’s a type of fish, popular in Japan because it is supposed to bring good luck. They’re colorful and are kept for decorative purposes in outdoor ponds and water gardens.

“I think most people don’t know that koi can be raised right here in the Valley,” Kleiser said. “Koi fish are like living art, each one is unique with a variety of patterns, colors, body shapes, and scale types.”

In addition to viewing the hundreds of koi fish at the show, there will be dozens of vendors selling koi, art, and décor.

Event-goers are invited to also visit the Shinzen Friendship Garden which has its own koi pond, waterfalls, and iconic moon bridge. Admission is waived because of the Koi Show.

“This is the perfect setting for our event,” Klesier said. “Guests can enjoy the park, green space, large area with picnic tables and shade trees, and everything else that the Shinzen Friendship Garden offers.

Docents will be on hand to tell you more about the garden and help suggest some of the best places to take photos.

For the first time, food trucks will be at the Koi Show. This event was previously held in the parking lot at Fig Garden Village.

This is the only fundraiser hosted by the Central California Koi Society each year.

You can learn more about this event by visiting CentralKoi.com