One of the most beautiful times of the year in Washington D.C. is the emergence of the Cherry Blossoms around the Tidal Basin. So beautiful, in fact, that the city hosts an entire festival around the 
event. Tourists come from all over the world to see these gorgeous trees and to enjoy the parade of events that take place in and around the Lincoln Memorial.
The Washington Post Weekend section has created a wonderful map of clusters of Cherry Trees in and around the metro area. This map and the companion audio can be found at htttp://www.washingtonpost.com/cherryblossoms. This year the blooms are expected to reach their peak April 1-4. The blooming period is March 28-April 9.
I was delighted to see two Virginia locations included on their map. One of these is in Reston, very close to where I live. Almost 20 years ago, a series of almost 60 Cherry trees was planted, just north of the intersection of Baron Cameron and Wiehle Avenue. Another place to see the trees is the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna. Located at 9750 Meadowlark Garden Ct, the park features more than 100 Cherries scattered throughout the park. Their blooms generally reach peak several days after those at the Tidal Basin. On April 11 they will be serving Sushi under the Trees.
The official Cherry Blossom Festival begins March 27 and runs through April 11. There are many events associated with the festival, including a parade, street festival, a lantern lighting ceremony and Fireworks, to name a few. More information and a complete list of activities is available at www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.
I hope you get a chance to enjoy this year's festivities. If you don't live in the area, consider planning a trip to D.C. next year to take place in this wonderful annual tradition.
(this is a picture of myelf, husband and son as we enjoyed the 2009 Cherry Blossoms):
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I have only seen pictures and I hope to be there at the Cherry Blossom festival some day.
Holly:
Cherry Blossom Festival is a wonderful sight to see. Our celebration here in Northern Michigan is a bit later than yours. We won't start to see our beautiful blossoms until mid to late May. They are a sight to see for anyone who has not had the privilege to see them
Cherry Blossom festival looks nice. Marks the beginning of spring, which is always good in my view.
Thank you
Hi Holly,
You and Patricia make me jealous-I wish I lived closer so I could come and enjoy the beauty of these trees! Take lots of pictures!
AHHHHH... the Cherry Blossom Festival ... I had forgotten that this was the time of the year for that gorgeoups site. Enjoy!
Holly, wow the blossoms are out in full force this year. I actually have peach trees that are blooming like crazy here in Texas!
I'll be headed out in the next few days to do my annual trek around the tidal basin. Another great place to see them is in the Kenwood Neigbhorhood in Bethesda. A well kept secret until now :-)
Holly, I hope you post some festival pictures, it seems the news stations always show us clips of how pretty our Capitol is this time of year...I'd like to see it someday! Enjoy, Karol
I posted a couple pictures of our maple trees with buds on them yesterday, yeah spring is here!
Holly,
My wife and her sister will be there tomorrow! Thanks for the website I'll forward it to them. My niece lives in DC and they went last year. I think it's becoming a girls trip tradition.
I am actually going to be there for the first time in September. Looking forward to the trip.