WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Park Service announced the cherry blossom trees around the tidal basin in Washington, D.C., are expected to reach peak bloom between March 29 and April 1.
It was an eventful announcement, as Dr. Kevin Griess, the superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, National Park Service, had to break through an ice sculpture to retrieve a cherry blossom-shaped card with the prediction dates on it. Griess said it symbolized the unusually cold winter in the Washington, D.C., area.
“We’re here to say we’re done with winter, done with ‘snowcrete,’ done with scooping my driveway for nine hours,” Griess said to cheers. “This ice sculpture is very symbolic, and I appreciate the symbolism of it, because I’m going to really get into this.”
Greiss then bashed the ice sculpture with a hammer several times until he retrieved the pink cherry blossom card, raising his fist in the air as the crowd clapped and cheered.
The approximately 3,800 cherry trees around the district have become an important symbol over the years.
“In 1912, Japan presented more than 3000 cherry blossom trees to Washington, D.C., and then this becomes a symbol of the friendship between Japan and the United States,” Masatsugu Odairam, the Minister of Public Affairs at the Embassy of Japan, told Washington Examiner. “And also that becomes a platform that brings people together in Washington, D.C.”
Japan has gifted another 250 cherry blossom trees in honor of America’s 250th birthday. They are currently being planted in at Tidal Basin to replace the trees that were taken down during the restoration project.
JAPAN GIFTS 250 CHERRY BLOSSOM TREES TO BE PLANTED ON TIDAL BASIN
“We are looking forward, too, for the next generation will also [be] enjoying these trees,” Odairam said.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival will run from March 20 to April 12.
