Along with thousands of other people, we made it to the Cherry Blossom Festival, 2011. On a perfect-weather day like today, who wouldn’t venture out to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine? We even got lucky and found parking easily (leaving the city in the traffic was another story). It felt good to be among the throngs of people, a notable mix of nationalities and cultures that the DC area is quite known for.
I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen so many people snapping pictures all at once. Every where you looked there were point and shoots, mega lenses, and tripods. All directed towards a blossoming branch or a loved one posing by a cherry tree. While everyone was looking up to admire the flowers, it was just as interesting to people watch. A few artists were out too, capturing the annual display of blooms with their paintbrushes. I shared my camera with my oldest son, and we both took the pictures I’m posting here today.
The event is timely; as a country our hearts go out to the people of Japan during the ongoing devastation that they are facing. It has been a hundred years since the first couple thousand trees arrived in DC in the spirit of friendship between our two countries. The history of the cherry trees in the U.S. is really fascinating, especially reading about what has transpired since those early days. You can read the chronological details here.
Spending an afternoon right here in the nation’s Capitol, with hundreds of like-minded locals and tourists = the perfect way to welcome Spring!
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{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
That is spectacular! I SOOO want to go now. I have only seen DC in December (hubs has a conference at the Omni Shoreham every December and I’ve gone with him 3 times). Sure, it’s decorated for Christmas, but everything is so barren. With all those artists and photographers and people, there must have been amazing energy.
It looks gorgeous, I love the trees around the lake, I had no idea there were cherry blossom festivals of that magnitude elsewhere except Japan. Thank you for sharing.
Jenni
Oh my god – this is wonderful. I’m so in love with those Cherry Blossoms.Note to myself: Go to the place here in Cologne where they are and take some pics for the coming winter days:-)
Thank you for sharing your day at the Cherry Blossom festival. Both mom and I want to visit DC and this looks like a perfect time to go. The photos are fantastic also, makes you feel like you are there!
Sooooo pretty I have actually been to washington when they are in bloom and it’s lovely! At our old house we had planted a beautiful crab apple and I still miss it every Spring! I love the picture of the guy ,taking a picture of a guy who is painting a picture – while you take a picture of both of them! Happy Monday!
I’ve been to the festival once since I moved here, and it was spectacular. I especially love all the pink and white confetti that is created a little alter in the season when the breeze blows the petals off the trees. So awesome.
Love the pics, glad you had a great trip!!
Spectacular! I’m glad you made it in time to see the lovely blossoms!
Thank you for sharing with us the beauty of spring…here in the midwest it is still a little early for spring blossoms…we will have to be patient and wait….70 and humid yesterday today barely hitting the 40’s.
Hi Cindy, wow those tree’s are beautiful & i heard they smell great too, thanks for sharing your fun family day with us ttfn L:)
Cindy…GREAT photography!! You really captured the day beautifully!!!
That looks like one amazing day! I’d love to get to DC during the Cherry Blossom Festival!
Whoooo pink snow! How beautiful! Sooo many people wow that was a great day for you. Your little one how precious Cindy!
Oh, thank you, Cindy. Even though this made me so homesick for DC, I loved seeing it again as I always do. It’s always nice to see through someone else’s eyes, too.
That would definitely be amazing to experience-I hope one day I’ll be able to go and be a part of it too 🙂
I do have to say, your son definitely has an eye for photography like his mum-I can’t tell which are yours and which are his!!
Thank you as always for sharing with everyone 🙂
What a nice way to spend this unusually warm day we had today!
I have been to DC once and enjoyed seeing all the cherry blossoms. But I have never been there for their Cherry Blossom Festival. DC is beautiful! I hope to go again sometime. I took the train in from Trenton, NJ. I was visiting an Aunt who lives in Piscataway, NJ. I love taking the trains. We don’t have them out here in the west so it is a treat! Glad you had a great time and thanks for sharing!
very interesting Cindy!!
Cindy, it is so nice to see the beautiful cherry blossoms! A sure sign that Spring is here. Now could you send some Spring to me, it seems even though i’m only a few hours away from you, that NEPA is stuck in Winter! 🙂
You have to tell me about these events before they happen! You know so much about the area and I’m totally oblivious.
I love all the photos. Your kids are going to be so happy when they grow up and have all these to look back on.
I have so wished to go to the festival. One of these years I will make it! Thanks for sharing these awesome pictures!
Loved all the pix,I can’t believe there are that many people there! I especially liked the banners hanging from the bureau of engraving and printing. It sounds like someone else has the gift of a camera in their future! It was wonderful to see the artists’ paintings too.