The 2018 National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade presented by Events DC will feature an all-star lineup of talent including reality stars, musicians, and more at the annual springtime celebration on Saturday, April 14. One of DC’s largest spectator events, the nationally syndicated parade will include celebrity performances, gigantic helium balloons, costumed characters, elaborate floats, and marching bands from across the country along iconic Constitution Ave.
Celebrities and other exciting parade elements confirmed to-date include:
- Honorary Grand Marshal Chef Carla Hall, co-host of ABC’s Emmy Award–winning series The Chew
- 90s hip-hop trailblazers Arrested Development (of hit single “People Everyday”)
- Pop/classical string quartet Well Strung (members on current season of The Amazing Race)
- Grammy-nominated country singer Ty Herndon
- The Voice season 11 contestant Billy Gilman and season eight contestant Sarah Potenza
- Gravity-defying extreme stunt pogo team XPOGO
- Miss America 2018 Cara Mund
- Giant colorful balloons including Smurfette, Peppa Pig, Magic School Bus, Sam I Am, Domo, and more
The festival will also shine a spotlight on local talent from the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area through performances by the winners of the Sing into Spring competition, who were chosen on January 31 by a panel of industry judges at Arena Stage. Out of 17 contestants who went head-to-head to showcase their vocal abilities, one group and two soloists (The GW Pitches, Emma G, and Summer) have secured a coveted spot to perform for thousands in the parade. The National Cherry Blossom Festival Sing into Spring competition is supported by media partners 94.7 Fresh FM, WPGC 95.5, and El Zol 107.9.
Prime grandstand seats for the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade are on sale now and can be purchased at nationalcherryblossomfestival.org. The grandstand section offers reserved seating along Constitution Ave. between 15th and 17th Streets NW. Group tickets for 10 or more are also available. Standing along the parade route is free and open to the public.
About the Sing into Spring winners
The GW Pitches is an all-female a cappella group founded in 1996 as the very first all-female group on The George Washington University’s campus. The group has performed for the U.S. Department of Energy, the White House, and a variety of other organizations in DC. Currently, the group is composed of sixteen members.
Born and raised near Washington, DC, Summer grew up in church and began singing solos as a young child. During her first solo at age seven, Summer recognized the incredible impact her special gift of song has on people when she witnessed an audience moved to tears by her performance. Singing became an outlet for Summer to share her soul, and inspire listeners.
Musician Emma G works full time as a street performer, and also plays in various clubs, bars, and community events throughout the city. Emma G describes her sound as soul pop-rock, whose sultry tones are punctuated with a gutsy quality that hammers home her messages of empowerment, love, and respect.