Cherry Blossom Watch
Look for the stars to abscond Hollywood to descend on DC for the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade®, a highlight of the spring season. Several celebrities will participate in this year’s parade—Grand Marshal Alex Trebek, of Jeopardy! fame; American Idol finalist Kimberly Locke; disco diva Thelma Houston; Miss America 2009 Katie Stam, a talented vocalist; and Disney Radio star Joey Page. Not to be missed are 700 youth choir singers, the All-Star Tap Dance Team and 11 marching bands from across the country, including some local favorites—the Howard University Showtime Marching Band, the Ballou Marching Knights and Batala, the All Female Brazilian Percussion band and the Eastern High School Marching Band, all from DC. Other local participants will include the Severna Park High School Marching Band of Maryland and the Manassas Park High School Marching Cougars of Virginia.
The one-mile long Parade will step off at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 4, and travel along Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Streets. The Parade is one of the largest activities of the National Cherry Blossom Festival®, the annual two-week celebration of Japan’s gift of cherry trees to the US in 1912. This year’s festivities will run from Saturday, March 28 through Sunday, April 12. There’s something for everyone—cultural demonstrations, performances, art exhibits, fireworks, international cuisine and athletic competitions. For more information and to find out how you can volunteer, visit www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.