Thousands of Attendees Gather in Washington, D.C., for the Annual National Cherry Blossom Festival
Thousands of Attendees Gather in Washington, D.C., for the Annual National Cherry Blossom Festival
Washington, D.C., kicked off its annual National Cherry Blossom Festival on March 20, drawing in thousands of visitors to celebrate the arrival of spring and admire the beauty of the cherry blossoms.
On March 28, officials declared peak bloom for most cherry blossoms. Any remaining blossoms will gradually bloom as the festival progresses.
The festival, which attracts visitors from around the world, features parades, a kite festival, live music and cherry blossom-inspired drinks. Guests enjoyed these festivities alongside the stunning peak blooms surrounding the Tidal Basin.
The blossoms around the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial were a favorite location, as guests stopped to admire the vibrant pink and white petals of the cherry blossoms during sunset. Many attendees gathered to take photos of the glowing blossoms against the memorial.
The festival welcomed dogs to join in on the fun at Paws & Petals, a designated area featuring various pet amenities.
Marsha Feller, a blossom enthusiast and festival volunteer, said her family has been attending the festival since she was a child. Feller estimates that she has attended more than 30 cherry blossom festivals and continues to encourage her friends to attend the event.
“It’s such a beautiful sight to see,” said Feller. “So many people take nature’s beauty for granted. When you’re here and literally surrounded by all these flowers, you can’t help but be in awe of the volume of flowers and their meaning.”
The cherry blossoms, a gift from Japan in 1912, symbolize the friendship between the U.S. and Japan. The festival ensures that beyond the beauty of the trees’ blossoms, the festival serves as an opportunity for guests to learn about the trees’ origin and Japanese culture.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival, a longstanding tradition in the nation’s capital, will continue its festivities through April 13.
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