Today I will write about the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which took place the first two weeks of April. The Festival is organized each year and celebrates the gift of 3,000 Cherry Blossom trees that was given to DC by the mayor of Tokyo in 1912 as a gesture of friendship between the two cities. Another 3.500 were received in 1965. The trees line the Tidal Basin, Hains Point, and Potomac Park and provide a spectacular sight when they bloom, usually in early April. (It is impossible to predict exactly when the trees will bloom, but usually they bloom sometime during the festival.)
I have been a volunteer with the Festival for two years in a row. Last year I did recycling, which meant picking up general trash and ensure that plastic bottles were taken to the recycling station. I did it with my mom, who was visiting, and it was a lot of fun! This year I did the welcome tent, giving out maps and information and helping people plan their visit. Also fun, but the recycling gig was even better - people are very nice to you when you pick up their trash!
View of the Jefferson Memorial from the west side of the Tidal Basin:
Tree by the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial:
The Washington Monument:
Comments (7)
Those are beautiful photos! I've been in Washington during this season, but working and so I never really got out of office buildings, alas.
I'm sending your blog link to a colleague from Europe, who is working here for a time and headed to Washington this weekend to play tourist and see the sights! He's very excited about seeing all the cherry blossoms.
Posted by sandrac | April 23, 2008 4:08 PM
Posted on April 23, 2008 16:08
I agree with Sandra. Your photographs are beautiful! I am enjoying your blog entries on the nation's capital.
Posted by Eden | April 23, 2008 10:00 PM
Posted on April 23, 2008 22:00
Lovely photos indeed!
We have an apple blossom festival in NS, but not until end of May.
Posted by Anne | April 24, 2008 7:27 AM
Posted on April 24, 2008 07:27
So beautiful! I've never been for Cherry Blossom Festival - need to do that some day. And that's so cool that you volunteer for it!
Posted by Annie | April 24, 2008 12:55 PM
Posted on April 24, 2008 12:55
Beautiful photos. I love when the cherry blossoms bloom, those and the bradford pears are my faves.
Posted by Kim | April 25, 2008 11:54 AM
Posted on April 25, 2008 11:54
Good for you for volunteering!
This year we visited friends in Northern VA after the Savannah GTG. We took one of the boat trips to view the blossoms on April 9th. Even though this was definitely "past peak" the blossoms are lovely. A privilege to see them!
Posted by cubbies | April 25, 2008 5:17 PM
Posted on April 25, 2008 17:17
Wonderful photos. The blossoms look so delicate!! I hope to see the Cherry Blossoms someday in person.
Posted by girasoli | April 26, 2008 4:37 PM
Posted on April 26, 2008 16:37