National Cherry Blossom Festival
add photosThe National Cherry Blossom Festival is Washington, DC's signature springtime event and celebrating the gift of the cherry blossom trees from the citizens of Japan. Timed to fall on the peak blooming period of the trees, the festival features over 150 daily cultural performances by local, national and international entertainers -- including a parade and family day.
The 2010 Cherry Blossom Festival is planned for March 27 through April 11, 2010.
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"Best Bets for the National Cherry Blossom Festival With Tweens"
One of our tweens' favorite annual events in Washington is the National Cherry Blossom Festival. This year it runs from March 26 to April 10, and it will be especially poignant given the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan (the Festival highlights our historic friendship with the Japanese people). There will be a Stand With Japan Walk planned for 630pm on March 24, and all donations will benefit the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief Fund.
Here are our tweens' picks for the best activities to do during this event:
* View the cherry blossoms from a unique vantage point: by paddle boat in the Tidal Basin. During this busy season, you can reserve a paddle boat in advance online, and some of the best photos are those taken from the water. Tip: bring sunscreen, sunglasses and water - it can get really hot out on the water on a sunny day.
* Visit the Smithsonian's Freer Gallery for a unique day of art on March 27th. The gallery will host a special ImaginAsia workshop geared for tweens (ages 8-14) that explores how spring flowers are used in Japanese design. Tweens will complete a project painting paper parasols based upon their study of the galleries. (Our tweens took part in two ImaginAsia camp programs last summer and are clamoring to return - they love the staff and galleries.)
For younger tweens, the National Park Service will offer a special "Blooming Junior Ranger" program, and if your tweens collect Silly Bandz, this year you can purchase special cherry blossom festival-themed Silly Bandz from the gift shop at the base of the Washington Monument.
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"Pretty! But can become crowded quick"
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is always nice to attend. The trees are always beautiful and are a big part of the tourism that comes to DC during March/April. Though not something you want to plan your day around, the National Cherry Blossom Festival is definitely something to check out if you happen to be in DC during one of the days of the festival. Good place to spend an hour or so. Be sure to bring your camera!!
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"Cherry Blossoms"
We've taken a bus trip to the Cherry Blossom Festival 2 or 3 times. The cherry blossoms are very pretty...... If you are lucky, you might catch the parade, and/or the little japanese festival if you can find it. To be honest, we generally end up spending our time going to the smithsonians.
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