on location: northeast ❖
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very year tens of thousands of visitors, from school chil-
Although the original shipment of 2,000 trees in 1910 con-
dren and foreign students to families, meetings and tour
tained a virus, the two cities were not deterred. On March 27,
groups, descend on our Nation’s Capital. With so much of our
1912 First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Chida, wife
history and heritage in Washington, DC, it is an experience like
of the Japanese ambassador, planted two trees on the Tidal
no other in the world. There is so much to see and do, you’ll al-
Basin from a new shipment. The giving tradition continued in
ways depart wishing you had more time.
the following years with gifts of flowering dogwoods to Japan and additional cherry trees given to the United States.
Destination DC
National Cherry Blossom Festival
All forms of creativity are expressed in the events that are
This past March and April the city celebrated the centennial
part of the festival. From a variety of artistic expressions and
of the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Tokyo Mayor
cultural traditions to natural beauty and community spirit, there
Yukio Ozaki to the City of Washington, DC. The annual Cherry
is something for everyone. Signature events include Family
Blossom Festival, the nation’s springtime festival, attracts more
Day and the Opening Ceremony, the Southwest Waterfront
than a million visitors each year to witness the blossoming of
Fireworks Festival, the National Cherry Blossom Festival Pa-
the trees and enjoy the numerous events.
rade® scheduled for April 13, 2013 and the closing event
Must-See
PetalFest on the Woodrow Wilson Plaza. Begin your planning at nationalcherryblossomfestival.org, or 877-442-5666.
DC An infinite array of events and attractions keeps groups busy in our Nation’s Capital
48 June 2012
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