Cherry Blossom Festival marks milestone for D.C.

WASHINGTON — The National Cherry Blossom Festival is returning with all its pageantry, Washington’s unofficial reemergence from two years of pandemic limits and closures.

“This year, more than ever, you really understand why the festival is so important,” festival president Diana Mayhew said. “We recognize that it’s more than just a festival. It’s about spring and renewal and a sense of new beginnings.”

This year’s cherry blossom trees will reach peak bloom between March 22 and March 25, according to National Park Service estimates. The festival kicks off with a March 20 opening ceremony and runs through April 17, with concerts and other events, including a big parade on April 9.

The weather isn’t exactly cooperating this weekend. Snow and freezing rain are expected. But that shouldn’t hurt, said Mike Litterst, Park Service spokesman for the National Mall. Temperatures below 27 degrees can damage the blooms — something that happened in 2017, when a late frost killed about half the blossoms.

Trees in some Washington neighborhoods have begun to blossom, but not around the Tidal Basin — the main focus for tourists and photographers.

“They’re still tightly in their buds,” said Litterst. “The armor of the buds is protecting the blossoms. Another week or so down the road, if this were to happen, we’d have some major concerns. I think we’ll be OK this time.”

During a recent event announcing this year’s plans, Mayor Muriel Bowser said, “We want D.C. to be the face of spring for the nation.”

A similar event two years ago was dominated by questions about whether the festival would happen at all in the face of the steadily advancing COVID-19 virus.

Within days, Bowser declared a public health emergency and banned all mass gatherings. Festival organizers spent the month frantically coming up with safe ways for residents and visitors to enjoy the rite of spring, include a live Bloom Cam and virtual video tours.