Cherry Blossom festival in full bloom in city

    When entering the National Mall in Washington, D.C., between March 23 and April 19, the city appears to have an overwhelmingly large amount of tourists.  As you get closer, kites fill the air, and while peering over towards the Tidal Basin, it would seem as though the trees have received a fresh blanket of snow with a slight tint of pink.

 Since 1935, the National Cherry Blossom Festival has been held to commemorate the 1912 gift from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo of 3,000 cherry trees.  The trees were presented as a symbol of the growing relationship between Japan and the United States.

    It was First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Chinda, the wife of the Japanese ambassador, who planted the first two trees which sit on the north bank of the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park.  In return, in 1915, the U.S. government sent dogwood trees to the Japanese, which sparked a continuous circle of trade and share. 

    Twelve years later, American school children reenacted the planting of the first trees which established the first Cherry Blossom Festival later in 1935.  
Japan continued to send over 3,800 trees over to the States again, which were accepted by First Lady Lady Bird Johnson.  Due to a flood in Japan, Japanese horticulturists used cuttings from the trees in the U.S. to help replace Yoshino Cherry Trees. 

    The most recent gift presented by the Japanese came in 1999, when new cuttings were planted nearby the Tidal Basin which were derived from a famous cherry tree in Gifu Province, which was over 1500 years old.

    The trees are spread along three national park locations in the city; the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park, in East Potomac Park and on the Washington Monument grounds.  Though named “cherry” trees, the trees are not fruit-bearing, but tend to have white and pink blossoms.

    Today, over a million people from all over the world travel to view the cherry blossoms between mid-March and early April.  The ceremony is not only in celebration of the blossoms and our friendship with Japan, but the commencement of spring.  There are over 90 different events with partnership from over 30 different organizations.

    Everyday, visitors can experience over 150 cultural performances, and other activities that include fireworks, demonstrations, sports competitions and exhibits filled with Japanese artwork.  Mostly all of the festival is free and it is held all over the city of Washington, and is available to everyone.  Performances may be viewed at three major locations; the Parade, the Stage at the Tidal Basin and the Union Station Stage.

    For more information on the blossoms, the National Cherry Blossom Foundation (NCBF), holds tours that travel the grounds of the trees on Mondays and Fridays during the week, and both Saturday and Sunday on the weekends.  Tours provide visitors with “the stories and secrets behind the delicate blossoms during a walking tour featuring not only cherry trees, but also noteworthy arboreal cousins,” as reported by the Washington Post.

    A unique experience is the bike-tour hosted by the National Park Rangers.  Visitors must provide their own bikes, bike helmets and water, but are guaranteed a truly individual tour, each tour being advertised as a little bit different. 

    Other tours given are the Cherry Chit-Chat Runs, lantern tours, paddle boat rides around the tidal basin, Cherry Blossom Photo Safaris and interpretive programs.
   
    The most exhilarating part of the entire festival is the parade which draws over 100,000 spectators in itself.  It will take place on Saturday, April 12, and goes along the historic Constitution Avenue.  This year there are many performers that will be present, including Disney’s Keke Palmer from “Akeelah and the Bee”, Ugly Betty Star, Mark Indelicato, American Idol finalist Anwar Robinson, Miss America 2008, Kristen Haglund, and Kathy Sledge along with many others.
   
    Along with famous performers, there is a large amount of other attractions to view during the parade.  Such are multiple high school and college marching band performances, the Cherry Blossom Queens, the National All-Star Tap Dance Team, giant balloons, floats and antique cars, and dance and drum routines from the U.S. and Japan.

    Also on the 12th, experience the street festival, going on from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.  The experience of Japanese culture will embrace each guest, exposing them to origami, sushi and traditional dances. 

     The festival is fun for people of all ages.  there are activities for children, information sessions for the older crowd, and a very nice walk for couples.  Many even choose to bring their dogs to the Mall to let them play.  The open grass and lots of space provide a great place for dogs to romp around.  
The festival began on March 23 and it will end this weekend, April 12.  Parking is limited but it is only a short walk from the Smithsonian metro station.