National Cherry Blossom Festival - Event Update

The final weekend of the National Cherry Blossom Festival is approaching, and with it come the last batch of event suggestions for our Japanophile readers. This Saturday, April 16, there will be three venues to check out. Do not fret though, you can visit all of them.

From 10 AM to noon, the NCBF Parade will walk on Constitution Avenue – From 7th to 17th streets, NW. Places at the Grandstand Seating start at $20. Standing along the Parade route from Constitution Avenue between 9th and 15th streets, NW is free. You will be able to see many High School Marching Bands, talent show participants (The Voice, America's Got Talent, American Idol), cast members from the musical Jersey Boys, Miss America 2016, Washington Redskins Cheerleaders and more.



From 10:30 AM to 6 PM in M Street and New Jersey Avenue, SE in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival will take place. Tickets cost $10 ($8 advance purchase), free entry for children under 12. More than 80 groups are present in this one-day celebration of Japanese culture. There are many different performances of martial arts, dance, music and culinary arts. Among them a Cosplay Fashion show by Anime USA. Food and drinks available are chiefly Japanese, but also include other Asian and Western Style caterers. If you want to enter one of the two Kirin Ichiban Beer Gardens, bring your ID.



From 6 PM to 2 AM in the Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square, 801 K Street NW, Washington DC, the Cherry Blast offers a wide range of activities from manga and gaming to electric drifting competitions. There will be a creative cosplay contest and you can learn about the latest Japanese fashion trends. The Cherry Blast also offers the opportunity to taste Tokyo street food, try your gustative nerve at sake tastings and sushi workshops, among others. The Japanese-inspired dance party showcases Asia’s alluring club and techno scenes.
General Admission: $20; Sake/Sushi Tasting $20; Cosplay Dance Party: $20; Japanese Whiskey Tasting: 20$; Cherry Blast Dance Party: $25; All of the above: $75; VIP (all of the above +VIP Suite access, fashion show, opening ceremony): $125

Are there any other cherry blossom festivals in your area? Let us know in the comments and if you are attending any of the events and take pictures, share them with us on twitter using #mhcherryblossom.
This was the last update on activities surrounding the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Thank you for reading, see you soon with other news.