National Cherry Blossom Festival March 26th to April 10th

If you have never seen the Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC you are really missing a beautiful awe inspiring treat!  The actual festival parade is on April 9th. This long-standing Washington tradition features lavish floats, giant helium balloons, marching bands, and other family entertainment.  Pack your lunch, snacks and drinks so you don’t have to wait in line for food or spend too much money!

Here is what you can expect on March 26th;

Join in the annual opening of Washington’s cherry blossom season at this sixth annual family festival for “kids of all ages” featuring hands-on activities, interactive art demonstrations, and exciting indoor and outdoor performances that celebrate spring and explore Japanese arts and design.

* Watch as local architecture students use food cans to build an amazing 3-D creation presented by Safeway
* Take a tour through the Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic StatesCorner Store where children “shop” and learn about healthy food choices. Families will also have the opportunity to have their photo taken with Doc Broc.
* Decorate a miniature kite and prepare for the Blossom Kite Festival, sponsored by Eastern National’s “The Passport to Your National Parks” program: celebrating 25 years of making memories
* Fold a pressman’s hat with paper artist Matthew Sporzynski, and peruse a mini-exhibit of his works, presented by The Washington Examiner
* Cut and assemble kirigami flowers
* Participate in more activities presented by the National Building Museum, National Children’s Museum, and Workhouse Arts Center

Be entertained by the following youth-friendly performance groups:
INDOORS
* Bach to Rock
* Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington Teen Arts Performers (TAP)
* Duke Ellington School of the Arts “Sophisticated Ladies” female vocal group
* Fillmore Arts Center
* “Healthy Choices” by the Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States Educational Theatre Program
* Shizumi Kodomo Dance Troupe
* The Washington Ballet

OUTDOORS
* Levine School of Music
* Nen Daiko Taiko Drum Ensemble
* Positive Vibrations Youth Steel Orchestra
* Washington Showstoppers Community Marching Band
* Wilson High School Drumline

For more information about the festival click here.