WASHINGTON, March 19, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Cherry Blossom Festival (NCBF) is DC's signature springtime event. The 2009 Festival features sixteen days of cultural performances, demonstrations, and other special events. NCBF celebrates the 97th anniversary of the gift of cherry blossom trees and the enduring friendship between the citizens of the United States and Japan.
SPRING INTO FESTIVAL OFFERINGS AND THREE SPECTACULAR WEEKENDS:
Tidal Basin Shows. The Target Tidal Basin Stage presents free performances at the Jefferson Memorial daily at noon. From martial arts to marching bands, a wide genre of performers entertain. This year, America's Got Talent artists come in for free shows. Catch rocker Eli Mattson and 4-year-old songstress Kaitlyn Maher on April 5 and 11, respectively. Free.
Go Out 2 Eat. The area's finest chefs turn to cherries for inspiration, presenting their "cherry picks" in sweet, savory, and cocktail form. This year, www.GoOut2Eat.com teams with the restaurants to offer delicious deals with each dish - providing great incentive to keep tasting.
Blossom Messages to our Troops. Notes from home go a long way for our troops serving abroad. NCBF, supported by State Farm and Letters From Home, will have 10,000 free postcards of Washington during cherry blossom season for visitors to send to those serving our country. Pick one up at the Tidal Basin and all major Festival events.
OPENING WEEKEND March 28-29:
Family Day & Opening Ceremony. On Saturday, March 28, 10am - 3:30pm, Family Day sponsored by Target is held at the National Building Museum with tons of hands-on activities like kite-making and origami. The Opening Ceremony begins at 4pm with four special performances: The Washington Ballet's Waltz of the Cherry Blossoms; Japanese Enka singer Jero and recent recipient of "Best New Artist" in Japan; Hip-hop dancer Kenichi Ebina; and Taiko and tap group Cobu. 401 F St, NW. Free.
Explore and Get Active. Several tours are offered during the Festival including the Blossoms Secrets Stroll; the Cherry Blossom Photo Safari; and Blossoms by Bike. Participate in the 43rd annual free Smithsonian Kite Festival on the Mall, and watch or play in the Soccer tournament. Exercise on the way to events by taking advantage of a free bicycle valet behind the Jefferson!
Light a Lantern. On March 29, the Japanese Embassy's Cherry Blossom Princess salutes the 50 U.S. Cherry Blossom Princesses with the lighting of a 300-year-old Japanese Stone Lantern, carved in 1651. The amazing relic is 20 tons and eight feet tall!
SECOND WEEKEND April 4-5:
A Spectacular Parade. Southwest Airlines Presents the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on Saturday, April 4 at 10am. Watch marching bands and performers burst down Constitution Avenue. Grandstand tickets provide the best view ($17, via Ticketmaster), and also earn free admission to Madame Tussauds DC wax museum. Look for Grand Marshal Alex Trebek, a giant Kermit balloon, Kimberly Locke from American Idol, disco diva Thelma Houston, Disney Radio star Joey Page, Miss America Katie Stam, Grover and Elmo from Sesame Place, and much more! Standing room along the Parade route is Free.
Hit the Streets. The 49th Annual Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival follows on April 4 from 11am - 6pm at 12th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. The pulsing Japanese-style fairground features 35 hours of free performances, the Ginza Marketplace, and J-Pop Land, focused on modern Japanese culture. The man who started the worldwide sudoku craze, Maki Kaji, will greet sudoku fans of all ages. Free.
Baseball and Blossoms. Baseball meets blossoms in the perfect springtime match-up. For the first time, the traditional exhibition game between the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles on April 4 will be part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Earlier that day, catch National's mascot Screech and the Racing Presidents in the Parade.
FINALE WEEKEND April 11-12:
Light up the Sky. On Saturday, April 11, DC's Southwest Waterfront offers music, food and fun at the annual Prelude to the Fireworks beginning at 5pm. The brilliant fireworks display begins at 8:30pm on the Festival's finale weekend. Free.
Hotline: (877) 44BLOOM www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org
The National Cherry Blossom Festival logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=811