Beginning on March 20th and continuing through April 12th, Washington, D.C. will be holding their annual spring Cherry Blossom Festival. This is a tradition that began in 1934, commemorating the gift of friendship with 3,000 cherry trees by Japan to the nation’s capital in 1912. Almost one million visitors attend this festival, making it the nation’s greatest springtime celebration.
Cherry blossom viewing
This citywide event features over 200 international cultural performances and special events, as well as art exhibits to cuisine and sports. Although activities can be found throughout the city, the three main locations are the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park, East Potomac Park, and the grounds of the Washington Monument. With activities such as paddle boating, walking tours, bike tours, cruises, and numerous performances and entertainment, the Tidal Basin is likely to be the most crowded.
To date, the number of cherry trees has expanded to over 3,700 of 16 varieties. When 70% of the trees are in full bloom, they’re in their peak period, which spans over approximately two weeks. The soft and vibrant pinks to the snowy white colors of the blossoms are a spectacular sight to behold, drawing the largest crowds during this period. The best time to visit is on a weekday in the morning or late afternoon.
Events during the Cherry Blossom Festival
Popular special events include the Opening Ceremony held at the Warner Theater and the Fireworks Display on the Southwest Waterfront. Don’t miss the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival, which is the largest one-day celebration of Japanese culture in the U.S. The event features over 50 cultural groups, vendors and food booths, and over 30 hours of performances on four stages, including the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade that runs for 10 blocks along Constitution Avenue. There’s also the Cherry Picks Restaurant Program, highlighting a wide array of spring menus, including numerous participating restaurants.
Charter a plane to Washington D.C. for the 2015 Cherry Blossom Festival
There is much to consider when planning a trip to Washington, D.C. during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. With such a variety of activities to choose from while being amongst those many beautiful blossoms, there will be plenty to do for everyone.
As you finalize your travel plans for this year’s Cherry Blossom Festival, remember that traffic will be very heavy, especially during the weekend. If you plan to fly commercially or drive to Washington D.C., you might want to reconsider and charter a plane through Luxury Aircraft Solutions. A private jet charter offers many benefits—it makes travel easier and much more enjoyable. Contact Luxury Aircraft Solutions today to learn more about chartering a private plane for the 2015 Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C.
