WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The National Cherry Blossom Festival(R) is an annual two-week, citywide celebration featuring daily international cultural performances, delectable cuisine, sporting events, arts & crafts demonstrations and other special events. The festival this year includes more than 95 events and exhibits featuring over 150 cultural performances.
EXCITING ADDITIONS AND TRADITIONAL FAVORITES:
National Cherry Blossom Festival(R) Opening Ceremony: Saturday, March 26, 5:30pm, Mandarin Oriental, Washington, DC. This year's Opening Ceremony includes welcoming remarks by dignitaries, Japanese and American entertainment and the formal introduction of the National Cherry Blossom Festival(R) Goodwill Ambassadors. This year's Ceremony also includes a spectacular silent auction benefiting National Cherry Blossom Festival(R) programs.
Tidal Basin Stage Cultural Performances: Saturday, March 26 - Sunday, April 10, Daily beginning at Noon, Jefferson Memorial. Sponsored by Target, more than 60 cultural performances will feature music, dance, song and martial arts demonstrations. Visit www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org for scheduled performers and times. Free.
Celebrate Mickey: 75 InspEARations: March 19-April 30, Woodrow Wilson Plaza at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. In honor of Mickey Mouse and his 75th anniversary, 75 of his friends, including actors, athletes, musicians and artists, have designed 75 six-foot statues that reflect their unique interpretation of what Mickey means to them. At the conclusion of the tour, the statues will be auctioned with 100% of the proceeds going to charity. Free. (Mickey Mouse leads the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade(R), held on April 9, as this year's Grand Marshal.)
The 39th Annual Smithsonian Kite Festival "A Sky Fantasy": Saturday, April 2, 10 am - 4 pm. National Mall. Create your own ultimate sky fantasy, the sky's the limit. Festival features hand-made kite competition, traditional Rokakku battle and new Hot Tricks-trick kite showdown. Demonstrations and kite making for the kids. Free.
National Cherry Blossom Festival(R) Fireworks Celebration: Saturday, April 2, Southwest Waterfront. Enjoy music, food and fun at the 2nd Annual Prelude to the Fireworks from 5 - 8:30pm Free, set sail on the Cherry Blossom Fireworks Cruise aboard the Spirit of Washington, beginning at 6:30pm (reservations and payment required) or simply enjoy the Fireworks Show at 8:30pm near the Southwest Waterfront Promenade or East Potomac Park. Free.
International Drumming Showcase: Friday, April 8, 5:00 - 7:30 pm. South Plaza at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. International drumming groups join local DC high school drum lines in a thundering drumming showcase. Exhibition will feature the taiko drummers of Tamagawa University - one of the top 15 Taiko performing groups in Japan. Free.
Southwest Airlines Presents the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade(R): Saturday, April 9, Parade Route: Constitution Ave. from 7th to 17th Sts., NW. This Washington tradition will be enhanced with features such as gospel recording artist Vickie Winans, Taiko drummers from Tamagawa University of Japan and Hello Kitty(, while including marching bands, floats, balloons and plenty of family entertainment. Grandstand tickets: $15 each, available through Ticketmaster at (202) 397-SEAT or www.ticketmaster.com. Standing along the route is Free. Parade Hotline: (202) 661-7580.
44th Annual Sakura Matsuri - Japanese Street Festival: Saturday, April 9, 11am-6pm, 12th St. and Penn. Ave., NW. Produced by Japan-America Society of Washington, DC. Sakura Matsuri is one of the largest Japanese street festivals in the country, featuring various aspects of traditional and contemporary Japanese culture through performing arts, hands-on arts and crafts, Japanese cuisine and a Japanese marketplace. Free.