Celebrate 95 Years of Blossoms
March 31 -- April 15, 2007
WASHINGTON, March 14, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The National Cherry Blossom Festival(r) is a two-week, city-wide celebration featuring daily international and cultural performances, delectable cuisine, sports events, interactive arts & crafts activities and more, celebrating the 95th anniversary of the gift of the cherry blossom trees and the enduring friendship between the citizens of the United States and Japan. Join us for more than 95 events, exhibits, and nearly 200 cultural performances!
Your "Can't Miss" Guide to Festival Events:
Family Fun
On Saturday, March 31, 10am -- 3:30pm, Family Day sponsored by Target is a celebration of Japanese art and culture at the National Building Museum; 401 F St., NW. The Opening Ceremony begins at 4pm with welcoming remarks. Can't miss: the kimono fashion show at 3pm; a performance by Masakazu Yoshizawa during the Opening Ceremony, whose music has been featured in Memoirs of a Geisha; and interactive origami. Free.
Get Cultured
The Tidal Basin Stage Cultural Performances sponsored by Target run daily beginning at 12 noon at the Jefferson Memorial. Artist Yoko Ono brings her worldwide IMAGINE PEACE project to the Tidal Basin with a Wish Tree art installation, encouraging the public to write and tie a wish to a designated tree to create a white blossoming visual. Can't miss: performances spanning the globe from Japan and Iceland to our local DC neighborhoods. Free.
Go Fly a Kite
The 41st Annual Smithsonian Kite Festival: Saturday, March 31, 10am -- 4pm features the ever popular hand-made kite competition and interactive activities. Can't Miss: the first 800 guests will receive their own kite by Amway Japan LTD. Free.
Light Up the Sky
On Saturday, April 7, DC's Southwest Waterfront offers music, food and fun at the annual Prelude to the Fireworks beginning at 5pm. The National Cherry Blossom Festival(r) Fireworks Celebration concludes with a brilliant fireworks display at 8:30pm. Can't Miss: photo ops with the Easter Bunny and the U.S. Coast Guard's Coastie! Free.
Floats Galore
Southwest Airlines Presents the Parade of the National Cherry Blossom Festival(r) on Saturday, April 14 at 10am. Watch marching bands, giant balloons, and performers burst down Constitution Avenue NW. Grandstand tickets provide the best view! ($15, available through Ticketmaster at 202/397-SEAT). Can't miss: Bianca Ryan from America's Got Talent; Ace Young from American Idol; Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson; and Sweet Honey in the Rock, singing their hearts out. Standing along the parade route is Free.
Hit the Streets
The 46th Annual Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival is Saturday, April 14, 11am -- 6pm, at 12th Street and Pennsylvania Ave., NW. The festival transforms downtown Washington into a pulsing Japanese-style fairground. Can't miss: sample Japanese pop culture in J-Pop Land. Free.
Taste and Dine
More than 20 Area restaurants (http://www.washington.org/cherryblossom/restaurants.html ) feature "Cherry Picks," exceptional cherry-inspired dishes on their menus throughout the Festival. The Grand Sushi & Sake Tasting at National Geographic showcases delicate sushi and sake samples on April 11, from 7pm -- 9:00pm ($95, 202/661-7585). Can't miss: DC's largest sushi bar at the Grand Tasting.
Explore on a Tour
Several tours are offered during the two-week Festival including a "Blossoms Secrets Stroll" Walking Tour and The Cherry Blossom Photo Safari. Can't miss: snap your favorite photo and enter to win the first annual NCBF photo contest at www.lulu.com/blossoms.
Get Active
Watch or participate in the Cherry Blossom Ten-Mile Run, Cherry Blossom Regatta on the Potomac, Rugby, Golf, and Soccer Tournaments. Can't miss: those biking to events can take advantage of a free bicycle valet! www.waba.org
Relax With the Blossoms as Your View
Cruise the Potomac while enjoying larger-than-life views and raising money for Festival events on the Odyssey cruise ship on April 12 at 6pm ($125, 202/661-7585). Enjoy High Tea on the Potomac and the blossoms from your own private yacht aboard Capital Yacht Charters (http://www.capitalyacht.com/ ). Finally, watch the centuries-old "Blessing of the Fleets" ceremony at the Navy Memorial (http://www.navymemorial.org/ ) on April 14 at 1pm. Can't miss: traditional Navy bean soup served up by the White House Mess in the Naval Heritage Center.
www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org
The logo for the National Cherry Blossom Festival is available at http://media.primezone.com/prs/single/?pkgid=811