National Cherry Blossom Festival
I’d seen them in photos and on television, but until last year, and the kindness of a friend who suggested we go to see them, I had never had the opportunity to see the cherry blossoms in person. They are magnificent, and whether you only have an afternoon to see them as I did, or are there for the entire two-week festival, it’s something not to be missed.
The planting of the cherry blossom trees dates back to a gift of 3,000 flowering trees from the people of Japan to the people of the United States in 1912. Since this original gesture of friendship and goodwill, the number of trees has expanded to approximately 3,750 trees, of 16 varieties, planted on National Park Service land.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival was first held in 1935, and in 1994 it was expanded to the now two-week period in order to accommodate the myriad activities taking place during the blooming season. The festival includes cultural and sporting events, walking and bicycle tours, art exhibits, and a parade.
The festival is planned each year to coincide, as much as is possible, with the Peak Bloom Date of the trees.
Although the actual bloom date is subject to the vagaries of weather, anytime is a good time to see the blossoms. Each of the several stages of bloom on the trees is spectacular: from the vivid pink of the buds on the verge of blooming, to the paler pink of the actual blossoms, and finally, to the snowy white as the blossoms start to drop off the trees.
Last year I got to walk along the Tidal Basin to view them, but there are also trees at Haines Point and on the grounds of the Washington Monument.
This year’s festival ended yesterday with the annual parade. I wasn’t able to get in to see them this year, so had to console myself with the virtual tour of the Tidal Basin and Monuments.
Mark next year’s festival dates on your calendar: March 31-April 15, 2007.
Photo credits: Jon Rochetti, c. 2006
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POSTED IN: Things to See & Do
3 opinions for National Cherry Blossom Festival
S.P. Bragg
Apr 10, 2006 at 8:18 am
I remember my mom coming back after a visit and saying that the trees were spectacular. That was about 20 years ago, so they are probably even more gorgous today!
:)
Paul
Apr 10, 2006 at 2:24 pm
I can say, from having been there at the time, its quite beautiful. But I’ve also been in Winter, and you are able to see more, and travel more easily when going out of Cherry Blossom season, as Cherry Blossom time is the most popular time, for both Japanese and non Japanese tourists. Everything is crowded, theres no serene Zen garden experiences in Cherry Blossom season (unless you really get off the beaten track).
So if you want the full on Japanese experience, perhaps travel out of popular seasons. But on the other hand it would be a shame to miss the Cherry Blossoms …
car car
Apr 10, 2008 at 11:59 am
These flowers are pretty
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