Bay Area Bonsai Associates holds 42nd annual show at Lake Merritt

The Bay Area Bonsai Associates 42nd annual show is underway tonight at the Lakeside Park Garden Center at Lake Merritt in Oakland, running Saturday evening and continuing Sunday. The regional club exhibit presents an extensive display of fine bonsai alongside vendor and plant sales, a raffle, and food and beverages. Admission is free.

Saturday's hours are 5:30 to 9:00 pm, with a light dinner followed by a 7:00 pm presentation by Japanese-trained bonsai artist Adam Toth. The show resumes Sunday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, giving collectors and newcomers two full days to view trees, shop, and talk with exhibitors and vendors. Parking is available for $5 until 6:00 pm on Saturday, so plan arrival accordingly if you want the early-bird rate.

This is a practical event for anyone looking to expand a collection, source material, or sharpen technique. The exhibit gives a broad snapshot of regional styles and pot selection, while vendor tables make it easy to buy soil, tools, pots, and nursery stock in person. The raffle and plant sales are often the best place to pick up unusual specimens or affordable beginners' trees. Bring small bills and sturdy boxes or bags for transporting pots and nursery stock home.

For those who want to learn, the Saturday evening demonstration by Adam Toth is the centerpiece. Japanese-trained artists often emphasize refining nebari, proportion, and seasonal timing; seeing a demonstration in person helps translate photos and forum tips into practical steps. The light dinner preceding the presentation provides an informal chance to meet fellow growers and club members, compare notes on wiring techniques and winter care, and scout which vendor tables to visit the next morning.

Practical measures will make the visit smoother. Arrive early on Saturday if you need easy parking or want to catch the start of the plant sales. Sunday offers more daylight for close inspection of foliage and trunk work. Inspect stock for pests and root condition before you buy, and ask vendors about repotting schedules and soil mixes to match your local climate.

The BABA show is both a social hub and a buying opportunity for the Bay Area bonsai community. Whether you're building a first tree or refining a display, this weekend's show is a chance to see quality work, meet practitioners, and take home material to grow and refine your collection.