The event peculiar to Washington is the Cherry Blossom Festival. The festival celebrates the generous gift of 3,000 cherry trees to Washington from Tokyo in 1912. When in 1941 the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor the people of Washington cut down hundreds of the trees and made firewood out of them. In forty years’ time after the war’s end the Japanese presented a gift of 3,800 cherry trees as a token of friendship.

In 1994 the Festival was prolonged to two weeks so that there would be enough time to hold all the activities that take place in the period of the trees blooming. Today the festival is organized by the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc., the company comprising members of business, civic and governmental organizations. Every year Washington welcomes over 700,000 who come to see the cherry trees in full blossom that proclaim the beginning of spring.

During two weeks you have a chance to attend an opening ceremony and participate in a number of different activities and cultural events that take place after it. You can take cherry blossoms classes or to go for a bike tour of the Tidal Basin.

There are also numerous art exhibits, performances, fashion shows in kimono, dance and singing, rugby tournament and a lot more. When the last Saturday of the festival comes you can view the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s Parade and the Sakura Matsuri, Japanese Street Festival.

It is a wonderful opportunity for family holidays. You will have a great time.