Dozens of events make the National Cherry Blossom Festival an action-packed event. Many events are free, but we recommend you double-check details by calling 877-442-5666 or checking online at nationalcherryblossomfestival.org. There you’ll also find maps and plenty more activities from which to choose. Here are some of the events listed by the National Cherry Blossom Festival organization:
1. Explore a “floating” Japanese teahouse: Family Day, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the National Building Museum. (401 F St. NW) Free
2. The Nutcracker leaps into spring: Washington cultural icon Septime Webre brings the Washington Ballet’s magical movements to the festival’s opening ceremony in a special springtime version of the holiday favorite “Waltz of the Cherry Blossoms.” (Opening ceremony, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, National Building Museum) Free
3. The Target Tidal Basin Stage rocks the blossoms every day at noon with a diverse lineup from Furia Flamenca’s passionate dance and Fox Mill Elementary’s powerful 75-student chorus to the Metropolitan Youth Tap Ensemble. See nationalcherryblossom
festival.org for schedules.
4. Trevor Corson, author of “The Zen of Fish,” shares savory sushi secrets with renowned Japanese cuisine authority Hiroko Shimbo and sake expert Michael John Simkin. Hear the raw truth at “A Taste of Japan: A Guided Sushi & Sake Evening” and indulge in a succulent sustainable sushi and sake feast. (Sushi and sake tasting, 6 p.m. April 1, National Geographic Live, 1600 M St. NW)
5. Go fly a kite: The 43rd annual Smithsonian Kite Festival is more than just kite flying. Everyone can learn about the pastime, participate in kite making, learn about kite history and even learn about green kite demonstrations. (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Washington Monument Grounds, Constitution Avenue and 17th Street)
6. Local restaurants showcase how sweet (and savory) cherries can be through their creative “cherry picks” dishes and cocktails. Check GoOut2Eat.com for a delicious deal to boot.
7. Travel Green through the Pink: Take advantage of the festival’s free bike valet, available on weekends and located at East Basin Drive in the parking lot south of the Jefferson Memorial.
8. World-renowned game show host Alex Trebek leads the 2009 Cherry Blossom Parade as honorary grand marshal. Trebek will challenge Washington’s brightest to buzz in to win at “Jeopardy!” tryouts the following day. (Parade is April 4; “Jeopardy!” tryouts are 2 p.m. Sunday at Montgomery College, 20200 Observation Drive, Germantown)
9. Watch the parade along the standing-room-only route from Seventh to 17th streets on Constitution Avenue, or reserve a special seat in the grandstands ($17; ticketmaster.com) with the most colorful view available. The popular Sakura Matsuri festival entertains the rest of the day, with a Japanese beer garden, marketplace, music and sumo in the largest street festival of its kind. (10 a.m. April 4, Sakura Matsuri Festival follows)
10. Put your heart into it: The Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Washington Monument Grounds (15th Street and Jefferson Drive SW). There’s also a 5K and 1K kids run. Visit cherryblossom.org for more information.
