Courtesy of National Cherry Blossom Festival
By Southwester Staff
The National Cherry Blossom Festival will make its return in 2022, after the pandemic cancelled 2021 events and caused authorities to warn visitors away from the Tidal Basin during cherry blossom season.
National Cherry Blossom Festival President Diana Mayhew announced that the festival’s signature events will take place in person between March 20 and April 17. The 2022 Festival will include four weeks of events featuring programming that promotes traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty, and community spirit.
On Twitter, the Capitol Riverfront BID announced they will host the festival’s Petalpalooza event on April 16, with interactive art installations, a beer garden, outdoor stages and family-friendly activities.
“In neighborhoods across DC, the cherry blossoms have been a bright spot during the past two years – a beautiful reminder of hope and renewal,” said DC Mayor Muriel Bowser in a press release. “Now, we can’t wait to welcome visitors back to Washington, DC to experience the full in-person 2022 National Cherry Blossom Festival and all that DC has to offer.”
The official artist of the 2022 festival, Falls Church, Virginia native Lea Craigie-Marshall, created an environmentally-inspired commemorative poster featuring monarch butterflies and cherry blossoms.
“Both the blossoms and the monarchs are precious and fleeting, and it’s important to protect them both for future generations to enjoy,” said Craigie-Marshall. “I wanted to include the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial as well, two of my favorites and really an iconic part of the festival.”
Events DC was announced as the presenting sponsor of the Cherry Blossom Parade on Constitution Avenue, and Amazon is providing additional financial support for the festival. For more information, visit NationalCherryBlossomFestival.org or call 877.44.BLOOM.