WASHINGTON, March 23, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Cherry Blossom Festival, DC's and the nation's greatest springtime celebration, brings a flurry of activity to Washington each year, when residents and visitors join area restaurants and hotels for a bevy of festivities that the entire city looks forward to each spring with great anticipation.
The Festival is March 27 - April 11 and includes three spectacular weekends and daily events featuring diverse and creative programming promoting traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty, and community spirit. The 2010 Festival commemorates the 98th anniversary of the gift of the cherry blossom trees and the enduring friendship between the United States and Japan.
SPRING INTO FESTIVAL OFFERINGS AND THREE FABULOUS WEEKENDS:
Daily Performances. Free performances will be held at the Target Performance Stage at Sylvan Theater at the foot of the Washington Monument, beginning at noon. The energetic, colorful, wide range of performances provide hours of entertainment for all ages.
Hotel Packages. The Festival partners with area hotels to provide great deals and blossom-themed packages for visitors to the nation's capital. Go to the Visitor section of www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org to plan a trip.
Cherry-Inspired Cuisine. Over 70 area restaurants turn to cherries for inspiration, presenting their "cherry picks" in sweet, savory, and cocktail form. Visit www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/cherrypicks for a full list of participants.
Baseball and Blossoms. Baseball meets blossoms in the perfect springtime match-up. A portion of proceeds from tickets sold through the National Cherry Blossom Festival websites will benefit the Festival: the Nationals exhibition game versus the Boston Red Sox on Saturday, April 3; and regular-season contests versus the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, April 7 and Thursday, April 8.
OPENING WEEKEND March 27-28:
Family Day & Opening Ceremony. On Saturday, March 27, 10am - 3:30pm, Family Day is held at the National Building Museum with plentiful hands-on activities like constructing a mini-bridge and cherry blossom tree decorating. The Opening Ceremony begins at 4pm with special performances from The Washington Ballet, pianist Tempei, and The Shigeyama Kyogen Theatre Group. 401 F St, NW, free.
MID-FESTIVAL WEEKEND April 3-4:
Cherry Blast. The second annual Cherry Blast: A Night of Contemporary Art + Music is on Friday, April 2 from 9pm - 1am. Produced by The Pink Line Project, the eclectic evening showcases visual and performance art, music, dance, film, and fashion, sponsored by Westwood College and supported by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities. 1701 Florida Avenue, NW, $10, ages 21+.
Light up the Sky. On Saturday, April 3 at 8:30pm, DC's Southwest Waterfront is the site of a brilliant Fireworks display, co-presented by Safeway and The Washington Examiner. The Washington Waterfront Association presents the annual Prelude to the Fireworks beginning at 5pm with hours of family entertainment. 600 Water Street, SW, free.
Lantern Lighting. On Sunday, April 4 at 2:30pm, the Japanese Embassy's Cherry Blossom Princess salutes the 50 U.S. Cherry Blossom Princesses with the lighting of a 359-year-old Japanese Stone Lantern, a 20-ton relic carved in 1651. Tidal Basin at Independence Avenue & 17th Street, SW, free.
GRAND FINALE WEEKEND April 10-11:
A Spectacular Parade. The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade® is on Saturday, April 10 at 10am. See American Idol finalist Justin Guarini, R&B vocalist Deborah Cox, and 2010 Miss America Caressa Cameron, amidst giant character balloons, elaborate floats, and booming marching bands. Grandstand tickets provide the best view ($17, Ticketmaster), and earn $5 admission to Madame Tussauds DC wax museum. Standing room along the Parade route, Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th streets, NW, is free.
Hit the Streets. The 50th annual Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival follows the Parade from 11am-6pm. The pulsing Japanese-style fairground features over 30 hours of free performances, Ginza Marketplace, and J-Pop Land, focused on modern Japanese culture. 12th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, free.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=811
Hotline: (877) 44BLOOM
www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org