Next week marks the 100 year anniversary of the Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival. Expect the Centennial to be big. Really big.
The most notably Centennial year change was the expansion of the festival from two weeks to five. This year it’s scheduled for March 24 – April 27 with a flurry of activities ranging from the Second Annual Bike Ride and Cycle Expo on March 25, the Blossom Kite Festival on March 31 and the annual parade on April 14. With events spanning the entire five weeks, there’s sure to be something for everyone. You can find an entire event listing here.
First Lady Michelle Obama has been tapped to be the honorary chairwoman of the Centennial Festival and, due to record-breaking warm weather, the Cherry Blossoms peak bloom is scheduled for a week earlier than usual.
A bit of history: the festival began in 1912 with the gift of 3000 cherry trees from Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki to the city of Washington DC. Every year the festival celebrates the continued friendship between the United States and Japan. What began as a simple ceremony has now morphed to one of the biggest events in Washington DC every year. DC Mayor Vincent Gray is expecting one million visitors will be flocking to the Nation’s Capital for the festival this year bringing an estimated $200 million in revenue to the city.
So if you’re planning a trip to the Washington area for the festival, where is the best place to see the Cherry Blossoms? The National Arboretum is always a safe bet, but there are plenty of other places that offer great views. The Washingtonian put together a great guide to places “off the beaten path” that is worth checking out. MSNBC has also put together “Six Tips To Enjoying The Cherry Blossom Festival” that is also worth a look.
For the tech savvy, there is also a new smartphone app available for download for iPhones and Androids. Besides having a comprehensive event listing, the app offers information about how to get around, up-to-the-minute news and an online store to purchase your own Centennial swag.
If you haven’t been before, consider taking a trip to the DC area for the festival this year. With three additional weeks on the festival calendar, there will be plenty to see and do
