Capital cherry Blossom Festival signals spring

Point clients heading to Washington DC’ between March 27 to April 11 in the direction of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, now one of the nation’s most established annual events.

Each year the festival, which marks the unofficial kick off of spring, commemorates the gift of 3,000 cherry trees by the Japanese in 1912, many of which were planted in the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park.
A further 3,800 more trees were given in 1965 and flowering cherry trees now adorn the length and breadth of the city. The two-week festival also includes many cultural, sporting and culinary events.

Activities take place every day over the two weeks, like two-hour bike rides showcasing the natural beauty of the trees in their colourful glory and cruises along the river to view the banks festooned with pink blossoms.

There are also signature events, like the Parade of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, presented by Southwest Airlines on Saturday April 10.

The Parade showcases entries from across the USA and around the world, including marching bands, cherry blossom queens from the US and Japan, giant balloons, floats and the national Cherry Blossom Festival All Star Tap Dance Team and Youth Choir.

Immediately following the Parade is the Sakura Matsui Japanese Street Festival, presented by the Japan-America Society of Washington, DC, presenting more than 80 organisations highlighting Japanese performances, arts, crafts and food.

www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org