A little historical aside before I get to the subject.
If you ever drive on I-70 past the sign “Historic Downtown Rocheport” don’t waste your time getting off the highway. Here is a 1-second tour of the place.

Now get back on the road, you still have a couple of hours to go.

St.Louis Japanese Festival is one of the better-organized, meaningful and entertaining festivals in the country. I visited it once before and enjoyed it so much that I didn’t have any reservations about going there again.
The Japanese Festival is once-a-year occasion when otherwise shy Americans release their inner Japanese, normally hidden deep inside, wrap themselves in shower curtains and prance around in uncomfortable wooden flip-flops pretending to like weird-looking food.

My favorite Japanese traditional entertainer Masaji Terasawa was there once again making spun sugar sculptures, origami figures and making fun of the public.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6RRdVvMny8

I have few clips of his performance.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEmquClM-zw”

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfU1bMlBNrg”

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om4ZSP6CBUc”

The Sumo demonstration was probably the highlight of the day since we decided not to stick around for karaoke.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kyfYldKDQM

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KteGdvDOQE

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0butoszJB6c

On the way back I was tempted to get some “Free water in the name of Jesus” but decided against it, just in case it turns into wine and causes me to get a DUI. I wasn’t so sure I could count on Jesus to pay the ticket.