It’s finally peak bloom for the airy pink cherry blossoms in Washington, a welcome sign of spring in a city of concrete and granite continuously weighed down by the necessary heft of the nation’s decision-making.
The thousands of blooming cherry trees that adorn the nation’s capital have burst into ephemeral blossoms, the arrival of which marks the unofficial beginning of Washington’s tourist season. It’s a fleeting window, though, with the delicate blooms at the mercy of weather shifts.
The National Park Service, which cares for the 3,500 cherry trees across the city, defines peak bloom date as the day on which 70% of the Yoshino Cherry blossoms are open. This year, it’s right on time, occurring typically between the last week of March and the first week of April.
Aside from the bloom of the flowering trees themselves, there’s also the four-week National Cherry Blossom Festival, which began March 20 and runs through April 12. The festival includes musical performances, Japanese cultural events, and a fireworks display, drawing large crowds.
Last year, more than 1.6 million people attended festival events, and a bloom cam garnered more than 2.3 million views.
Additionally, visitors are contending with some restrictions in the blossom appreciation areas due to a renovation project at the Tidal Basin and the loss of several iconic trees like Stumpy,” who became an internet sensation.
The cherry blossoms date back to a 1912 gift of 3,000 trees from the mayor of Tokyo, with Japan remaining active in their care and the festival celebrations.
