As the weather grows warmer and we bid winter adieu, D.C. prepares for its annual spring celebration known as the National Cherry Blossom Festival. From March 26 until April 10, more than one million people will flock to the nation’s capital to visit these famous blossoms and take part in the festivities.
The first festival occurred in 1912, but on a much smaller scale. A simple ceremony celebrated Japan’s gift of 3,000 cherry trees to the United States, which symbolized the eternal friendship between these two nations. The first two trees were planted during the event on the bank of the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park, and later the other trees were placed in East Potomac Park and around the national monuments.
The blossoms soon became a landmark, attracting people from around the world to come celebrate the beginning of spring. Gradually, the event transformed into a two-week festival filled with cultural ceremonies, performances, parades and much more.
This year commemorates the 99th anniversary of the festival, and it will begin with the customary opening ceremony featuring both contemporary and traditional performances. The event’s main headquarters is located in Union Station, but festivities spread throughout the district and into neighboring states.
Throughout this two-week period, visitors will have the opportunity to experience guided tours of the cherry blossoms, taste new cherry dishes on local restaurants’ menus, take paddleboats across the Tidal Basin, enjoy musical entertainment and simply stroll around and enjoy the sights. The festival will conclude with its annual parade.
As a sign of our friendship and support for Japan, festival officials are also encouraging sightseers to visit the American Red Cross to find out how they can help the nation in the wake of its natural disasters.
Over the years, the National Cherry Blossom Festival has become a symbol of springtime throughout the world. With so many people gathering in the same area to enjoy the blossoms, festival officials advised visitors on how to make the most of their time. They recently announced that the peak blooming period is between March 29 and April 3, warning people that this will most likely be the busiest time during the festival. Officials also suggested that visitors should try to come on a weekday, early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid overwhelming crowds.
Although the festival attracts many people from all cultures and backgrounds, students at the University of Maryland said they also go every year and highly recommend that others pay a visit to the cherry trees.
“They’re gorgeous,” freshman Jenay McNeil said. “I started going to the festival with my family when we first moved here in 1998. It’s one of those big events that happens in D.C. and everyone from around here and from far away comes. I love walking around, taking pictures and looking at what the vendors are selling.”
Sophomore Cory Harrop said her favorite way to spend the day is by climbing some of the sturdier trees with her mother and sister. “We’ll bring books and just read in the trees,” she said. “We all have really different lives, so it’s one of the few times we can spend time together.”
While the festival appeals to a diverse crowd, freshman Laurén Jones said that it does have some downsides.
“You have to pay for some of the events,” she said. “It’s only a couple of dollars, but before you could just walk up for free.”
For more information about the 2011 National Cherry Blossom Festival and its featured events, visit the official website at http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.orgor join the Facebook event at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=134928873240565.