A Successful Grand Opening Ceremony

We at the Inn at Honey Run are proud to announce that last night’s official Grand Opening Ceremony of the Open Air Art Museum with the inaugural Haiku Walk was a great success!  To officially open the freshly-mulched Haiku Path for public exploration, we invited a private guest list of poets, press, and local officials to attend our “ribbon-cutting” ceremony.

The evening began in our beautiful Treetop Pavilion where guests were received with wine and opening comments from Innkeeper Jason Nies and Haiku Society Regional Director Julie Warther. Julie led the 2 hour tour along the haiku path, a brand new trail through the hills, meadows, and forests of our beautiful property.

Along the path were  30 large stones placed into the ground upon which hung the individual haiku poems engraved on steel plates in the shape of a ginkgo leaf by local metal sculptors.  These short poems were presented in both English and traditional Japanese characters.  The theme of the poetry follows the procession of the seasons along the path, from spring to summer, fall, and finally winter.

Six of the featured poets were in attendance to read their work to the group as the tour processed.  Julie gave interpretations and explanations of the different poems, stating that haiku “takes longer to think about than to read,” a comment on the reflective nature of the artform which attempts to capture a single moment in as few words as possible.

The group thoroughly enjoyed the artistic and serene tour through the woods and over the hills as we took in the sights, sounds, and smells of the natural world.  Our evening ended back at the Treetop Pavilion for traditional Japanese-inspired hors d’oeuvres and refreshments prepared by our Executive Chef Bret Andreason and live music from the Dan Conwell Jazz Trio.  All in all, a truly inspirational and exciting event for all of us here at the Inn.

We’re incredibly excited to have our Holmes County Open Air Art Museum finally open to the public with the first creative installment of Japanese Haiku poetry immortalized on steel and stone here on our beautiful land.

Please come and visit us to walk the Haiku Path any day of the week from sunrise to sunset and experience the crossroads of nature and art for yourself.