Washington D.C. celebrates spring and friendship
with Annual Cherry Blossom Festival
A couple of PSH students had a chance to ring in
spring by participating in one of the nation's time-honored
rites of season change, the Washington, D.C. Cherry Blossom
Festival. Students took a bus trip down to the festival and
parade on Saturday, April sth
The annual festival has its toots, quite literally, in a
goodwill gesture between First Lady Helen Taft and
Viscountess Chinda, the wife of the Japanese ambassador to
the United States. Each of them planted a Japanese cherry tree
on the bank of the Potomac Tidal Basin in the spring of 1912.
From there, well, they blossomed, and have become one of
spring's most breathtaking sights.
The festival self officially came into bloom in 1934,
and aside from the years of World War 11, has been an
American tradition ever since. This year it ran from March
22nd through April 7th. Events were aimed at appreciation of
Japanese culture. These included a showcase of Origami and a
walk to honor the sacrifices of Japanese-American citizens
during World War 11.
The crowning event of the festival was the parade,
which ran right down Constitution Avenue near the Capitol. It
featured college and high school bands from around the coun
try, dancers and other multicultural groups, and marching
bands and contingents from the U.S. armed services. There
were also large balloons of characters such as everyone's
favorite war hero, Beetle Bailey.
The parade was a fun-filled, family-friendly, protester
free event. The real stars of the show, the cherry trees, were
beautifully dressed for the occasion and provided the perfect
backdrop for the event that honors them.
scape and
Above: An up close and personal look at inspired the first
the delicate blossoms which where a good Cherry Blossom
will gesture between First Lady Taft and festival in 1934.
Viscountess Chinda, the wife of the
Japanese ambassador to the United States.
By Robert Trishman
Copy Editor
Right:
Cherry blossom
trees line the
streets and walk
ways of D.C.'s
parks and monu
ments. The cherry
blossoms have
been a staple in
the D.C. land-
The Washington Monument provides a patriotic backdrop for the
Friendly and festive cherry blossoms.
All photos by Stacy De Angelo