🎋 Celebrating US-Japan Friendship in Wisconsin: Kikkoman Cookout Summer Festival in Jefferson City🎋
On Saturday, July 19, Jefferson City hosted its first-ever Kikkoman Cookout Summer Festival at Rotary Park, celebrating Kikkoman Foods, Inc.‘s new plant in Jefferson alongside their North America HQ in Walworth, WI.
We planned for 300 guests and the strong possibility of wet and windy weather. On the day the sun shone and over 650 people joined us for the event! The festival was a great reflection of the strong relationship between Wisconsin and Japan. Highlights from the day included:
🍱 Free tastings from volunteer chefs featuring Kikkoman sauces and flavors
🍔 Food trucks, Kona Ice, Katsu-Shack, and Asahi Beer USA Inc Beer—all sold out!
💬 Opening remarks from former Governor Tommy Thompson highlighted the importance of friendship across generations
📸 Deputy Consul-General Naoya Kishi traveled from Chicago to join us
🪘 Performances by Beni-Daiko, Hibiki Taiko, and the Chicago Koto Group
🎋 Attendees took part in traditional Tanabata wish-making, origami, kendama, and suika-wari games.
🙏 Huge thanks to Mayor Dale Oppermann and Dr. Ryohei Tsuji, Ph.D. for their leadership and for emceeing, as well as Chad Holpfer, CPRP, AFO and Koshi Kato for helping the event to run seamlessly on the day.
Japan America Society of Wisconsin (JASWI) is proud to have been part of this celebration, promoting and strengthening US-Japan relations in the community and showcasing deep business partnerships between Wisconsin and Japan. Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, shared your stories, and visited the JASWI booth. Together, we’re bridging cultures and building community.
