The National Cherry Blossom Festival (NCBF) is a two-week, city-wide celebration featuring daily international & cultural performances, delectable cuisine, sports events, interactive arts & crafts activities and more, celebrating the 96th anniversary of the gift of the cherry blossom trees and the enduring friendship between the citizens of the United States and Japan. During the Festival, there are more than 95 events, exhibits, and nearly 200 cultural performances.

The Festival comes alive to much fanfare with the NCBF Family Day on Saturday, March 29, 2008, at the National Building Museum. The free interactive Family Day runs from 10:00am to 3:30pm. Kids can watch impressive origami demonstrations and participate in a wide range of hands-on activities. The Opening Ceremony will be held from 4:00 to 5:30pm.

Throughout the Festival, the Target Tidal Basin Stage at the Jefferson Memorial features daily programming beginning at noon. Audiences can enjoy free cultural performances featuring traditional and contemporary music, dance, and martial arts demonstrations.

When it is time to relax, do so over a cherry-inspired dish or drink at area restaurants. The Cherry Picks restaurant program showcases local chefs’ flavor and creativity with special items served at participating restaurants only during the Festival.

At all events, be sure to have your camera ready to participate in the second annual photo contest with Lulu.com. Photographers of all skill levels are encouraged to submit their photos of favorite Festival events, the many scenic views along the Tidal Basin, and unforgettable moments under Washington’s blossoms at www.lulu.com/blossoms. This year, winners will be chosen in two different categories: scenic views and Festival activities. Twelve winning photos between the two categories will be selected and featured on the 2009 Official NCBF Calendar. From the finalists, one grand-prize winner from each category will be awarded two roundtrip tickets on Southwest Airlines.

The NCBF Parade, presented by Southwest Airlines, continues to grow and dazzle spectators. Taking place on Saturday, April 12, at 10am, guests will be delighted by characters from Sesame Place, the nation’s only theme park based entirely on Sesame Street, located in Langhorne, PA. Don’t miss this chance to see Sesame Place's newest neighbor, Abby Cadabby, riding down the parade route with her friends, Cookie Monster, Grover, Rosita, and everyone's favorite furry red friend - Elmo. Miss America 2008, Kirsten Haglund, will sing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Floats, marching bands, giant helium balloons, and international performing groups round out the lineup that will wind their way down Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th Streets. The parade is also televised live on local stations ABC7/ WJLA TV and NewsChannel 8. New this year, the Festival has teamed up for a special offer with Madame Tussauds Washington DC. Parade grandstand ticket holders simply present their ticket stub to gain free admission and VIP access to DC’s hottest wax attraction from April 12 until July 31.

The Japan-America Society of Washington holds the annual Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival directly following the parade. The largest street festival of its kind, the afternoon will showcase culture, crafts, cuisine, traditional to trendy crafts, and much more.

The Festival and its associated events are sponsored by Target, Lipton Tea, Southwest Airlines, the National Building Museum, 97.1 WASH-FM and BIG-100.3, and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. The Festival is also supported by the Government of the District of Columbia and other Washington, DC organizations such as Downtown Business Improvement District, the Washington, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, DC Convention & Tourism Corporation, Hotel Association of Washington, DC, Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, and the National Geographic Society.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual two-week, citywide event celebrating spring. The 2008 Festival is March 29 – April 13, and will feature daily cultural performances, sporting events, arts & crafts, demonstrations and other special events. The National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the 96th anniversary of the gift of the cherry blossom trees and the enduring friendship between the citizens of the United States and Japan.

For full schedules and information visit www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org or call the Festival hotline at (877) 44-BLOOM.

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