The National Cherry Blossom Festival, the greatest celebration of spring in the US, kicked off in Washington, DC, on 20 March, commemorating the 101th anniversary of the gift of cherry blossom trees from Japan.
The tradition began in 1912, when First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Chinda, the wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted two cherry trees from Japan along the north bank of the Tidal Basin, to celebrate the lasting friendship between the two nations.
"Cherry Blossoms symbolize the friendship for many years between Japan and the United States," Kenichiro Sasae, the Japanese Ambassador to the US said, "Especially this spring season, it's wonderful to come."
Some 4,000 cherry trees now line the Tidal Basin in West and East Potomac Parks and the grounds of the Washington Monument, attracting more than 1.5 million visitors annually.
Many events are planned that promote traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty and the community spirit.
The main event is the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on 13 April, featuring giant cherry blossom balloons, floats, marching bands, and performances by the likes of Grammy award-winning artist Mýa, Disney's Coco Jones and Elliott Yamin from American Idol. The parade will be broadcast on TV nationwide with hosts Andrea Roane and Mike Hydeck. Washington Redskins 2012 Walter Payton Man of the Year, Joshua Morgan, serves as Grand Marshal.
For a complete look at the National Cherry Blossom Festival events, visit www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org
Scroll down to take a look at the latest pictures of the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington...
Cherry trees are in full bloom in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington April 10, 2013.ReutersA couple photograph cherry trees in front of the Washington Monument in Washington April 8, 2013. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is in full swing, with peak bloom occurring early this week.ReutersThe Washington Monument is reflected as a couple walks hand-in-hand beneath cherry trees along the Tidal Basin in Washington April 8, 2013. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is in full swing, with peak bloom occurring early this week.ReutersA couple sits beside a cherry tree along the Tidal Basin in Washington April 8, 2013. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is in full swing, with peak bloom occurring early this week.ReutersPeople walk under cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin in Washington, April 7, 2013. Washington's celebrated cherry trees, which have been slow to bloom in 2013 due to a colder-than-normal springtime, originated as a gift of friendship from the people of Japan in 1912ReutersA man takes pictures of cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin in Washington, April 7, 2013. Washington's celebrated cherry trees, which have been slow to bloom in 2013 due to a colder-than-normal springtime, originated as a gift of friendship from the people of Japan in 1912.ReutersCherry trees blossom along the Tidal Basin in Washington, April 7, 2013. Washington's celebrated cherry trees, which have been slow to bloom in 2013 due to a colder-than-normal springtime, originated as a gift of friendship from the people of Japan in 1912.ReutersRunners cross a bridge near the Thomas Jefferson Memorial during the annual Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run at the Tidal Basin in Washington, April 7, 2013. Washington's celebrated cherry trees, which have been slow to bloom in 2013 due to a colder-than-normal springtime, originated as a gift of friendship from the people of Japan in 1912.ReutersA bough of cherry blossoms are seen against the sunrise along the Tidal Basin in Washington, April 7, 2013. Washington's celebrated cherry trees, which have been slow to bloom in 2013 due to a colder-than-normal springtime, originated as a gift of friendship from the people of Japan in 1912.ReutersCherry blossom buds that have yet to bloom are seen around the Tidal Basin in Washington April 5, 2013. Low seasonal temperatures in the Washington area have delayed the annual cherry blossom display that draws tourists into the area in great numbers. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is seen in the background.Reuters
