Photo by PoPville flickr user sciascia (not cherry blossoms but still beautiful!)
You can find all the info you’ll need here:
“Opening day marks the beginning of the two-week long celebration of the cherry blossoms and the commencement of spring in Washington, DC.
For the fifth year in a row, free Family Day festivities will be presented jointly by the Festival and the National Building Museum in anticipation of thousands of families from around the region and nation that will attend.”
and
“The Opening Ceremony is a National Cherry Blossom Festival tradition that embraces the true meaning of the Festival – the celebration of spring, cross-cultural exchange and community. His Excellency Ichiro Fujisaki, Ambassador of Japan, leads the tableau of Washington dignitaries to welcome the crowd that fills the majestic balconies throughout the Great Hall of the National Building Museum. The program begins at 4:00 PM.
With a resounding opening, The Shigeyama family, famous Kyogen players with a history dating 400 years, performs “Sambaso,” the most sacred and celebratory of all plays in the Noh and Kyogen repertoire. The troupe is comprised of five actors and three musicians. “Sambaso” dances celebrate fertility and good harvests.”
More info on opening ceremony here.
Hopefully the weather will cooperate so it won’t look like this:
Super cool photo from PoPville flickr user fromcaliw/love
