MUST SEE EVENTS: APRIL 1 - APRIL 15, 2010

Cherry Blossom Festival
Saturday, March 27 to Sunday, April 11
Washington D.C.
http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/

The blooming of the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. has come to symbolize the natural beauty of our nation's capital city. The famous trees, a gift from Japan in 1912, signal Washington’s rite of spring with an explosion of life and color that surrounds the Tidal Basin in a sea of pale pink and white blossoms. Thousands of city residents and visitors from across the nation and around the world come here to witness the spectacle, hoping that the trees will be at the peak of bloom for the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Average Peak Bloom Date: April 4
2010 Peak Bloom Date Forecast: April 1 through April 4
2010 Blooming Period: March 28 through April 9
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Saturday, March 27, 2010
The National Cherry Blossom Festival® Family Day & Opening Ceremony Presented with the National Building Museum
Family Day, 10:00 am - 3:30 pm
Opening Ceremony, 4:00 - 5:30 pm
National Building Museum, Washington D.C.
401 F Street, NW
Take Metro to Judiciary Sq Station, Red Line
http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/cms/index.php?id=896

Opening day marks the beginning of the two-week long celebration of the cherry blossoms and the commencement of spring in Washington, DC.
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Saturday, April 3,
Fireworks Light Up the Night
http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/cms/index.php?id=927

Come to the Southwest Waterfront on Saturday, April 3, 2010 at 5:00 pm as the Washington Waterfront Association kicks off the fifth annual Prelude to the Fireworks – a free, three-hour festival of family entertainment that includes live musical performances, kids craft activities, cuisine from local restaurants and special guest appearances for the kids to enjoy.

At 8:30 pm, all eyes will head toward the sky for a spectacular Fireworks display. Enjoy the sky spectacle on land at the festival or watch them from the water on the fireworks cruise aboard the Spirit of Washington.

The Fireworks occur rain or shine; only extremely inclement weather will cause their delay or cancellation. For up-to-the-minute status reports if weather is questionable, please call (877) 44BLOOM.
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Sunday, April 4
Lantern Lighting Ceremony
2:30pm - 4pm
At the Tidal Basin at Independence Ave and 17th Street, SW
http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/events/eng/event_display.php3?event_id=257

Presented by the U.S. National Park Service and the National Conference of State Societies, the 359-year old stone lantern is lit in a formal ceremony featuring traditional Japanese performers, Washington dignitaries, and the Cherry Blossom Princesses representing the U.S. State Societies.
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Saturday, April 10, 2010
National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade
16th ST and Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC
Click here for ticket information.

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