Idaho Falls welcomes sister city

The city of Idaho Falls welcomed delegates from its sister city, Tokai-Mura, Japan, Wednesday night at Friendship Gardens.

To honor the 33-year relationship between the two cities, Idaho Falls dedicated its new Moon Pavilion at Friendship Gardens to the visitors from Tokai-Mura. The city of Tokai-Mura even contributed to the pavilion and gardens.

“It’s an ambitious project and it’s going to take us about three years to get it finished,” said Edward Zaladonis, the pavilion’s designer.

The adult and youth delegates alternate visiting sister cities each year. Carol Walters the president of the Sister City Organization in Idaho Falls said they try to give the delegates a chance to experience a little bit of everything. During their 10-day stay, they will visit Yellowstone National Park, and even take part in the Fourth of July parade.

“They ride the float in the parade,” said Walters. “Which is the highlight, or one of the highlights of their time here.”

The Idaho Falls youth delegation will make its trip to Tokai-Mura at the end of the month.