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After all the hype, fanfare and buildup, the nation’s best springtime celebration is here! The 2012 National Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off on Tuesday, March 20, with the Pink Tie Party and runs for five spectacular weeks (a first!) through Friday, April 27. The whole city is tickled pink—literally.
The Festival officially unveiled its City in Bloom campaign on March 1 by enveloping the bottom panel of the Newseum (555 Pennsylvania Avenue) in bright pink. The campaign, presented by Capital One bank, is visually uniting and energizing the region during the entire centennial celebration of Tokyo’s gift of cherry blossom trees to DC with pink and blossom lighting, oversize banners, bright blossom decals and much more to welcome more than one million people to the Festival and showcase the best of DC to the world.
In addition to the Newseum, the other Downtown businesses and institutions on the City in Bloom bandwagon include select Capital One bank branches; Hard Rock Café (999 E Street); the National Building Museum (401 F Street); the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (1300 Pennsylvania Avenue); and the National Archives (700 Pennsylvania Avenue).
The Festival will feature an abundance of diverse and creative programming that promotes traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty, and community spirit. From the signature Pink Tie Party fundraiser, presented by Lincoln and opening tonight’s celebrations—which will be hosted by renowned chefs José Andrés and Roy Yamaguchi at The Mayflower® Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel—to the PedalFest Block Party, where the festivities will conclude on April 27 on Woodrow Wilson Plaza at the Ronald Reagan Building, there will be something for everyone, including downloadable Festival information on a free app. The app are available on Androids and iPhones.
Not to be missed: the free Opening Ceremony, presented by Daiichi Sankyo and MetLife and taking place for the first time at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (801 Mount Vernon Place) on Sunday, March 25, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on Saturday, April 14. The Parade route, along Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Streets, is free, although there’s a fee for grandstand seats.
Among the celebrities and top-notch organizations making an appearance at the Opening Ceremony: Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and pianist Sara Bareilles; female Japanese R&B artist MISIA; mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves-Montgomery; the Children’s Chorus of Washington; and the Washington Ballet. And at the Parade: The Voice’s 2011 winner Javier Colon; American Idol finalist Siobhan Magnus; gospel artists Mary Mary; international dance music icon Kristine W; singer and actress Marie Osmond, Olympian Kristi Yamaguchia; the Washington Performing Arts Society’s Men, Women and Children’s Gospel Choir; and the Los Angeles-based taiko percussionist group TAIKOPROJECT.
Once again, area restaurants will celebrate. They have created and are offering Cherry Picks, or dishes inspired by cherries, blossoms or spring, throughout the Festival. More than a dozen Downtown restaurants, including 901 Restaurant and Bar (901 9th Street), Poste Moderne Brasserie (555 8th Street) and Zentan (1155 14th Street) are serving up delectable entrees, desserts and cocktails.
More information is available on the Festival’s website, including a complete schedule of events, volunteer opportunities, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival® Petal Pass.
The DowntownDC BID provides the National Cherry Blossom Festival organization a home and staffing support and is delighted to promote and showcase the best springtime celebration ever!
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