Red Wing Sister Cities

10/07/2026

Are you a Red Wing Area Student interested in the Ikata/Red Wing Student exchange program in July/August 2027? Do you have questions on what it entails, costs, timeframe, etc.? Do you want to learn about this amazing opportunity and possibly apply as to serve as chaperone or as a student? If so, here is your chance to ask questions about the trip before submitting your applications.

Application deadline for chaperones and students is October 31, 2026.

Student and Chaperone interviews will take place the first two weeks of November.

09/16/2026

The 2026 Ikata/Red Wing Student exchange culminated with a farewell dinner at the Colvill Courtyard on Friday, August 7, 2026. Students shared some of their experiences and thoughts on the exchange, exchanged gifts, enjoyed a meal together, and planted a tree in the Red Wing Sister Cities Friendship Grove at Colvill Park.

It was another wonderful exchange between the two cities/countries. Check out the website for information on how to be a part of the commission or the exchange in 2027.

https://www.redwingmn.gov/482/Ikata-Exchange-Program

09/16/2026

We are now taking applications from Red Wing School District students, grades 8-11, who are interested in serving as ambassadors of Red Wing for the 2027 student exchange between Red Wing and Sister City in Ikata, Japan. We will choose six students to represent the city through an application and interview process.

More information on the exchange and the application can be found here: https://www.redwingmn.gov/482/Ikata-Exchange-Program

Deadline to apply is: October 30, 2026.

The Sister Cities Commission accepts applications for students eighth grade to eleventh that are interested in taking part in the student exchange trip with Red Wing's sister city Ikata, Japan.

08/19/2026

Celebrating World Photography Day with Sister Cities International - Ikata Student Exchange welcome to Minnesota!

08/12/2026

Thank you to our 2026 Chaperone, Kelly Marrs for sharing photos from our students time in Japan. Our Red Wing students spent a few days exploring Tokyo, Hiroshima, and Matsuyama before heading to Ikata, Japan for their homestays. Students visited the site of the bombing in Hiroshima, visited temples, experienced japanese traditions, ate lots of new foods, were gifted Yukatas, rode on high speed trains and ferries, and so much more.

This trip would not be possible without the generous donations received during grocery bagging at Family Fare and from our local organizations: Redmen Club, Aliveo Learning Center, American Legion, Red Wing Lions Club, RW Elks Lodge, Noontime Kiwanis, RW Rotary, and Sargents Nursery. These donations make this experience of a lifetime affordable/possible for any RW student who applies.

For information on the 2027 exchange, please visit our website and to apply. We will select up to six students and a chaperone for next years' trip in October/November 2026.

https://www.redwingmn.gov/482/Ikata-Exchange-Program

08/12/2026

Sharing some more of the Red Wing/MN experiences our families shared with our exchange students from Japan. There were riverboat rides in Stillwater, exploring boom site, bowling at Treasure Island, River City Days, shopping in Red Wing, and the Mall of America. Thank you to all of our host families for making this experience great.

08/05/2026

2026 YAAS (Young Artists and Authors) Winners - Sister Cities International

The 2026 Young Artists and Authors Showcase (YAAS) Virtual Winners Celebration took place on July 24, 2026, during Sister Cities International's 70th Anniversary Homecoming in Washington, D.C. The event recognized the outstanding achievements of young artists and authors from around the world who participated in this year's competition, themed "Voices of Today, Visions of Tomorrow." Winners across six creative categories were honored, and many had the opportunity to share the inspiration behind their work with a global audience of students, families, educators, Sister City organizations, and conference attendees.

A highlight of the celebration was the launch of the 2026 YAAS Virtual Gallery, an interactive online exhibition showcasing the winning entries and making them accessible to audiences worldwide. The event celebrated the creativity and diverse perspectives of youth while reinforcing Sister Cities International's mission of fostering cross-cultural understanding through people-to-people diplomacy.

The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of the 2027 YAAS theme, "A Tapestry of Cultures and the Threads That Connect Us" inspiring participants to continue using art and creativity to build a more connected and peaceful world.

Red Wing Sister Cities will be sharing information soon on how our local students can enter this competition and submit something for the local contest relating to the 2027 theme. Local winners are then sent to the international competition. Prizes are awarded for the local contest too! Check out this years international winners below:

Young Artists & Authors Showcase The Young Artists and Authors Showcase (YAAS) is an annual art contest that encourages youth worldwide to express the mission of Sister Cities International through original artwork, literature, poetry, photography, and music YAAS Highlights YAAS 2026 Winners 2025 Wi...

08/04/2026

Our Red Wing host families have been entertaining their host students will disc golf, pool time, soccer, pickleball, hacky sack, shopping, movie night, checking out Red Wing, and so much more!

08/03/2026

Our students have returned from Ikata, Japan and yesterday they walked with the commission and our guest students from Ikata in the River City Days parade.

05/15/2026

Come on out and support our ambassadors as they prepare for their journey to Ikata, Japan in July. Stop by Family Fare in Red Wing during our upcoming grocery bagging fundraisers and help support the increased travel expenses (like flights) and other costs for this incredible cultural exchange opportunity. Every donation makes a difference for each student.

Thank you for supporting the Red Wing Sister Cities ambassadors and helping make this experience possible!