If you’ve ever been to DC, you might have heard of the DC Cherry Blossom festival. This fortnight-long festival begins end of March every year and concludes around the 10th of April. With pink blossoms primarily around the tidal basin and across the city, this festival surely leaves visitors mesmerized. Gifted to US by the Japanese, thousands of these cherry blossom trees circle the tidal basin making it the most coveted tourist destination in April.
You might think that these are just flowers and ‘what’s the big deal in it???’ But the reasons stated below will definitely affirm my stance on visiting this festival…..
It marks the arrival of spring
These flowers that bloom just once a year, are at the disposal of Mother Nature when it comes to their bloom. Early spring when the morning frost is low and the sun starts getting stronger, the buds appear. As the sun continues to get brighter and the weather warmer, over the course of a few days the buds open up allowing the pink flowers to surface. So, the flowers are at their peak bloom just when it starts to actually feel like spring.
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It has an interesting backstory
The cherry blossom flowers are a native to Japan and it was them who gifted this natural beauty to US back in 1912. US then reciprocated by sending Dogwood trees to Japan in 1915. Ever since then the peak bloom of these Cherry Blossom was deemed as a historical event and is celebrated with great zeal here. Another fun fact: these cherry blossom trees bloom at the same time around the world. Irrespective of the weather conditions, the peak bloom coincides everywhere.
It is natural beauty at it’s best
You won’t believe how beautiful and iconic these tree laden with pink and white flowers look. Thousands of pink trees circling the tidal basin makes it the most desirable place for tourists in DC, in April. Words aren’t enough to justify the beauty of these flowers, but if you ever get a chance to visit DC, plan it around your kids spring break and I promise- you’ll never regret. Over the course of these years pollination has catapulted the spread of these trees across the city and neighboring states Maryland and Virginia. Driving through the streets with cherry blossom canopies has it’s own appeal. So now the Cherry Blossom trees can be spotted lining the roads and neighborhoods, turning the entire city into a pink fur ball.
It is a festival on it’s own
The DC cherry blossom has it’s own charm, but what makes it all the more festive is the two weeks events, galas and other family-friendly activities that happen around the city. The national cherry blossom festival kickstarts with a parade and the NCSS cherry blossom grand ball, followed by events like the kite festival, street art and fair and Cherry blossom art walk, to name a few. Now major retailers and shopping centers ring in this festival with decorations unique to cherry-blossom- like pink kites and huge pink paper origami flowers. One place to witness the festivity would be City Center DC. Home to all the high-end designer stores, the cherry blossom inspired decoration here is worth witnessing.
It is the best time to make picture memories
Talk to me about this one and I can go on and on with “how amazing pictures you could make here.” Be it for your engagement/wedding portrait or just blog photos ( as in my case), people flock to the tidal basin right around their peak bloom. One advice in case you want to beat the crowd and parking hassle, would be to go there early in the morning or on weekdays. Weekend is crazy packed and you definitely don’t want to see multiple unwanted heads in your frame. There are a few other locations that are home to a bunch of these trees- Kenwood Cherry Blossom Community being one. It is a quiet neighborhood with just a handful of enthusiastic neighbors either strolling or taking pictures. It was entirely worth.
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