WASHINGTON, D.C. — It’s the event that kicks off the National Cherry Blossom Festival. People attending the annual Pink Tie Party on Friday came donning their best pink and florals to enjoy this year’s theme, the “Art of Fashion.”
The immersive event, held in Union Station, was meant to explore all the senses. Attendees were treated to live music and a scent bar, where attendees could sample and create their own personalized perfume to take home. Local restaurants were sampling cherry blossom or Japanese-inspired creations.
The Washington Examiner got to speak with one of the local designers whose creation was featured on the runway during a fashion show.
“This is great because I’m one of the D.C. emerging fashion designers, I just started last year,” Asma Yu, of ASY Intimates, said. “To be part of D.C. cherry blossoms, it’s an honor to be here.”
The Pink Tie Party is one of the few events that cost money to get in. The money raised from the entrance fees and silent auction helps fund all the free events throughout the rest of the festival.
“We are so grateful for this fundraiser,” Diana Mayhew, President and CEO of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, said. “Most of our events are free and open to the public and accessible. That’s what we really want to maintain. So the proceeds from this event helps us do that, and as well as the sponsors that present each of those events help us bring it free to local residents, visitors and people from all over the country.”
Everyone’s favorite cherry blossom tree, Stumpy, may be gone, but not forgotten. Mayhew tells the Washington Examiner the saplings are growing well and could be planted in the Tidal Basin as early as next year.
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“They’re growing! They’re small, but they’re growing,” Mayhew said. “If you are interested in Stumpy and honoring Stumpy, there is a Stumpy paddle boat race that’s happening on March 19. You can sign up, and those proceeds — 50% of those proceeds — actually go back to the cherry tree fund.”
While waiting for Stumpy’s saplings to return to the Tidal Basin, people can still catch the peak bloom predicted for March 29 to April 1.
