National Cherry Blossom Festival Underway in Washington

Brisk weather returned for the opening of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
National Cherry Blossom Festival Underway in Washington
The National Cherry Blossom Festival Underway in underway in Washington, D.C. (The Epoch Times)
3/28/2010
Updated:
10/1/2015

WASHINGTON—Brisk weather returned for the opening of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, but the visitors still came out to get a glimpse of the blossoming trees, gifts from Japan. This is the country’s greatest spring festival, with three weekends of events.

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According to the National Cherry Blossom Festival Web site (nationalcherryblossomfestival.org), the blossoms have not yet hit their peak, but many are in “stage 5.” This means they are four to six days away from their most glorious display.

After a winter of historic blizzards and high winds, some cherry trees show damage, with limbs cut and trimmed.

With large amounts of snow melted and heavy rains in the region, the Potomac River spiked dramatically to more than twice last year’s peak. The water has since largely receded, but has left the tidal basin partially flooded, covering much of the stone walkway that borders the water.

The Cherry Blossom Festival will continue through April 11 with performances, fireworks, a marathon, and more. On April 10, the city will host a parade.

This year is the 98th anniversary of Japan’s gift of the trees. The festival celebrates both spring and the enduring friendship between Japan and America.

<a><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/09/2010-cherry-blossoms-1.jpg" alt="The National Cherry Blossom Festival Underway in underway in Washington, D.C. (The Epoch Times)" title="The National Cherry Blossom Festival Underway in underway in Washington, D.C. (The Epoch Times)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-1821652"/></a>
The National Cherry Blossom Festival Underway in underway in Washington, D.C. (The Epoch Times)