While the blossoms at the Tidal Basin have come and gone, other, later blooming trees around town are still putting on a show. Even my chokecherry tree is looking especially good this year.
And the Cherry Blossom Festival here in the Nation’s Capital still has many events scheduled. See the official website (https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/) for a full listing. I’m looking forward to the Parade and the Sakura Matsuri next Saturday.
There was a swell event held to kick off the beginning of the festivities. It began when the Mayor arrived on a cherry-pink bus, the culmination of a barnstorming tour of East Coast cities meant to raise the profile of The Most Incredibly Pink Tourist Attraction You Ever Saw (not the official motto).
There were short speeches by dignitaries including Mayor Bowser; Diana Mayhew, President and CEO of the National Cherry Blossom Festival; and Koichi Ai, from the Embassy of Japan. Then the Big Reveal was presented by Jeff Reinbold, superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks. He was assisted by a troupe of terrifically enthusiastic dancers known as Dance For Life, from Delaware. The dates had to be adjusted slightly because of the unusually warm weather, but that didn’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm.
As a food writer, I was most impressed by the breakfast spread provided by the Conrad Washington, DC Hotel. The cupcakes, yogurt parfaits, fruit, and agua fresca, all in shades of the color of the day, were as delicious as they were attractive.
In the hallway, the dancers were posing in frames. On my way out, I passed them posing in front of the hotel sign in a very photogenic arrangement.
Am I ever ready for the winter to be gone? Spring It On!
