Huntington’s Bonsai Celebration and Bonsai-A-Thon Draw Weekend Crowds

The Brody Botanical Center at The Huntington filled with visitors across the weekend as the Huntington’s Bonsai Celebration and the Golden State Bonsai Federation’s Bonsai‑A‑Thon ran from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 28–March 1, 2026. The event doubled as a fundraiser supporting the Golden State Bonsai Federation’s collection at The Huntington and staged a live auction of demonstration and Huntington trees from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., followed by a raffle of pots, tools, and more.

The Huntington framed the weekend as accessible to newcomers and collectors alike, noting “This event offers something for everyone—from those curious about starting bonsai to admirers of world-class specimens. Enjoy expert-led demonstrations, a bonsai marketplace, prizes, and a live auction.” The California Bonsai Society presented “THE 68TH ANNUAL EXHIBIT” as part of the program, putting the institution’s bonsai holdings — described by organizers as one of the nation’s premier collections — front and center.

Demonstrations ran in multiple blocks across the weekend. GSBF scheduling put demonstrations by local artists at 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with Bonsai Demonstrations in Banta Hall lower level from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visiting artist Sergio Cuan led a Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. demonstration and critique on black pine and returned Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a presentation and critique on deciduous trees, anchoring the instructional lineup.

Saturday’s roster of demonstrators included Kathy Benson, Jason Chan, Robert Hoogaveen, and Tom Vuong; Sunday’s roster listed Mel Ikeda, Robert King, Bob Pressler, and Al Rivera. GSBF also listed a separate California Bonsai Society note saying the exhibit was “open both days from 10 AM to 5 PM, demonstration at 1PM daily,” a scheduling detail organizers and reporters flagged for reconciliation with the broader demo timetable.

The floor-level marketplace operated 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, with an “Extensive Bazaar Area” of vendors selling tools, pots, and plants. Related programming augmented the weekend: a Meet a Gardener session titled The Art of Penjing on Feb. 28, a Saturday 11 a.m. tour of the Chinese Garden by Che Zhao Sheng, and a Sunday 11 a.m. tour of the bonsai collection by Daniel Deephouse. Silent auction hours ran 2:00 to 2:30 p.m. ahead of the live auction block.

San Diego Bonsai Club materials described club-specific logistics for a prior iteration of the event on Feb. 22–23, 2025, including a club bus trip on Saturday, online reservation cutoffs (February 7, 2025), in-person cutoff at the February 9, 2025 meeting, and member ticket options that included one free ticket with self-transport or a paid bus seat. Those 2025 details remain separate from the Huntington and GSBF listings for Feb. 28–March 1, 2026.

Admission for the Huntington program was listed as “free with general admission,” and GSBF and Huntington pages directed visitors to The Huntington’s reservation pages for ticketing details. Proceeds from auctions, drawings, and raffles over the weekend go to support the Golden State Bonsai Federation’s collection at The Huntington, continuing the federation’s educational and preservation mission for world-class bonsai displayed at 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino.