Known for its colorful and festive spring cherry blossoms, the National Cherry Blossom Festival is an event held in Washington D.C. every year. This year, it begins on March 20 and ends on April 14. Anyone from around the world can attend the event for free and people can even bring their pets, as the festival is pet-friendly. Pets are welcome at select festival events that offer pet amenities, giveaways and resources for pet parents onsite.

“I’d suggest others visit the festival to experience the beauty of nature and take part in cultural events,” stated Makeez Jabarkhel, a junior at Briar Woods. “I think it’s also a great opportunity to take pictures,” she continued.

As defined on the National Cherry Blossom Festival website, “it’s the springtime party the world looks forward to.” Many people from far and wide travel to Washington D.C. each year to celebrate the arrival of spring and admire more than 3,000 cherry blossom trees.

This festival honors and represents American and Japanese culture and the close bond they have created with one another that began with the mayor of Tokyo’s gift of the trees in 1912. Mayor Yukio Ozaki’s first gift of 2,000 trees, received in 1910, was burned on orders from President Taft because insects and disease had infested the trees. After hearing the news, the mayor sent another 3,020 trees to D.C. two years later.

Many First Ladies, including Mamie Eisenhower, Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama have commemorated the blossoms by planting cherry trees to mark the anniversary of the blossoms. As detailed in a Washington article, “First Lady Helen Herron Taft planted the first tree in West Potomac Park.” Several First Ladies have taken up the cause to commemorate the cherry blossom trees over the years, but the National Cherry Blossom Festival is not just about the celebration of the blossoms.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a four-week-long cultural festival held throughout D.C. and surrounding communities, and many other events take place during the festival. Among these are the Pink Tie Party fundraiser, Art in Bloom featuring giant cherry blossom sculptures, the Blossom Kite Festival, Petalpalooza featuring live music and spring activities, the annual Parade and Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival featuring cultural performances, Japanese food and beverages and handmade Japanese crafts.

Jabarkhel concludes on the best things about the festival, saying, “it’s a pretty good start to spring and the new season because you see the cherry blossoms and lots of people who are energetic and having fun, and you can enjoy different types of food.”

Unfortunately, this year may be the last year the National Cherry Blossom Festival is held, at least for a little while. Many of the famous cherry blossom trees, including “Stumpy,” a beloved cherry blossom tree and internet icon, are making their last blooms in D.C. The trees will be cut down for a project to rebuild and raise the seawalls around the tidal basin due to rising floodwaters from climate change, so make sure to come out and see the cherry blossoms this year.