It’s finally time for D.C.’s much anticipated annual floral display.
The D.C. National Cherry Blossom Festival is perhaps one of the country’s most iconic representations of the spring season. There’s nothing like being surrounded by vibrant pink blooms to let you know that winter is behind you. Thousands of people flock to the Tidal Basin part of the city each year to catch a glimpse of nature’s finest display of cherry blossoms. If you make the trek to the nation’s capital this year, here is the best time to do so to maximize your experience.
The cherry blossoms are only here for a limited time.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual celebration that you won’t want to miss. The festival runs from March 20 to April 15. Here you can enjoy fun activities such as a pink tie party and the National Cherry Blossom Festival parade. This celebration honors Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki’s 1912 gifting of 3,000 cherry trees to the district. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is an excellent opportunity to both celebrate and appreciate Japan’s rich culture.
The National Park Service began their “bloom watch” earlier this week to gauge just when the cherry blossoms will peak. They announced that this year the peak bloom is March 23 through 27. This is slightly earlier than the historic average of April 4. Peak bloom occurs when 70 percent of the District’s cherry blossoms are open. If you want to experience the blossoms at their peak, it’s a good idea to plan your trip to D.C. earlier than later. Of course, if your trip isn't until April, you can still catch some excellent blooms, as the trees don't all bloom at once.
Visit D.C. this year to experience this horticultural marvel for yourself. Usher in the spring season by admiring the delicate cherry blossoms in their array of pink shades, while valuing an ancient Japanese tradition.
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