Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom Dates for 2015 Announced

This year’s National Cherry Blossom Festival overlaps briefly with the trees’ peak bloom dates, the National Park Service said Tuesday.

Karen Cucurullo, acting superintendent of National Mall and Memorial Parks, stood in front of a pink screen at the Newseum and asked a colleague to bring this year’s cherry tree blooming prediction. He approached the stage and handed her a plate-size pink envelope. The crowd laughed, and Cucurullo began opening the envelope. The peak bloom date is April 11-14, she announced.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival runs from March 20 to April 12. Peak bloom also happens to start the the same day as the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, which begins on 10am on Constitution Ave on April 11 and travels between 7th and 17th streets.

Other notable events include the Pink Tie Party Fundraiser at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on Thursday, March 19; the Opening Ceremony Saturday, March 21 at Warner Theatre; Cherry Blast Art & Music Dance Party at the Blind Whino SW Arts Club Friday, March 27; the Blossom Kite Festival at the Washington Monument Saturday, March 28; Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival from 1pm to 9pm Saturday, April 4; and Sakura Matsuri—the Japanese Street Festival on Saturday, April 11.

New events include the Anacostia River Festival presented by the 11th Street Bridge Park and the National Park Service which begins at noon on Sunday, April 12th and the National Cherry Blossom Festival Corridor Bike Ride which begins at the Arlington National Cemetery at 11:30am on Saturday, April 18th.

Just remember: Don’t touch the trees.

Kristen Doerer