100th Annual National Cherry Blossom Festival

Each year people from all over the world flock to D.C. to see the world famous Cherry Blossoms. The Cherry Blossoms were given as a sign of friendship by Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo City, Japan, on March 27, 1912. I am always in awe of their beauty. When I start seeing Cherry Blossoms, I know that Spring is indeed here! Each year, the District is host to the National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorating Mayor Ozaki’s gift. The festival is about a month long and consists of various performances, fireworks displays and much more.

This year I had the honor of being the MC at the Cultural Arts Performance Stage! I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day. The sun was shining and everyone was in amazing spirits. The performances ranged from a cabaret belly dancing troupe, to an electro-funk band! In between acts I spent time at the information tent, where I took pictures and met festival participants. We also wrote special Cherry Blossom thank you notes to the troops, which Subway has so generously agreed to send to the troops at the close of the festival. If you haven’t been to the National Cherry Blossom Festival you should definitely check it out!

The Cultural Arts Performance Stage, sponsored by Canon

Backstage with an amazing belly dancing troupe

Writing thank you notes to our troops

Meeting festival participants.  By far the highlight of my day “Mommy it’s Princess Tiana!!!”

Best,

Ciji Dodds

Miss International 2011