It is almost time for the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC. The Cherry Blossom Festival runs March 31-April 15, 2007.

The festival began in 1935 to commemorate the gift of 3,000 Japanese Cherry Blossoms to the Nation’s capital from the Mayor of Tokyo, Japan in 1912. There are a variety of events throughout the two weeks.

On April 14th the Cherry Blossom Festival, celebrates with a parade followed by the 46th annual Sakura Matsuri-Japanese Street Festival sponsored by The Japan-America Society of Washington, DC:

The Sakura Matsuri is is the largest one-day exhibition of Japanese culture in the United States. It features three performing arts stages; a martial arts stage; 25 vendors of Japanese and Asian cuisine; a Japanese beer garden; 30 exhibitors of traditional and popular Japanese culture; and 20 vendors of a wide array of Japanese goods and crafts.

The above information is from the National Cherry Blossom Website. To learn more about all the scheduled events during the two weeks, including various performances, sporting events, parades and more click on the event list.

The Sakura Matsuri Street Festival takes place on Pennsylvania Avenue between 10th and 14th Streets and on 12th Street between Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues. The event is free and open to the public rain or shine.

For more information regarding the Sakura Matsure Street Festival click here.

Picture from Rachel Cooper at About.com.

It is almost time for the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC. The Cherry Blossom Festival runs March 31-April 15, 2007.