Spring will not turn over a new leaf after all ...
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is adding another tally to this year's loss column. It announced on Tuesday, October 20, that the festival will go parade-less in 2021.
The festival, planned for March 20 to April 11, 2021, will still go on as planned. However, the festival's iconic Cherry Blossom Parade will not be added to its list of festivities due to the capital's ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. Instead, the Cherry Blossom Festival will develop a full, safe, and entertaining schedule in its place.
"The health and safety of our Festival staff and the attendees, sponsors, and other stakeholders remain the Festival’s top priority," President and CEO of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Diana Mayhew. "While we know the community will miss the tradition of the Parade, a striking and celebratory procession down Constitution Avenue, plans to present the 2021 Festival in innovative and fun ways are already underway."
The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, a beloved part of springtime festivities, is canceled for 2021. Plans for a full schedule of safe and spectacular programming for The Festival in 2021 is underway, with more details coming soon! 🌸 https://t.co/ANZfWwU4HL pic.twitter.com/YVJqRNl5gN
— National Cherry Blossom Festival 🌸 (@CherryBlossFest) October 20, 2020
The Festival planners are working with the D.C. Mayor's Office, the National Park Service, and other city officials to ensure the event includes fun, yet safe activities. They hope to still provide fans an event that will bring the community together while still celebrating the beautiful and iconic flowers.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a celebration of the Japanese cherry blossom trees Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo City provided to the city of Washington, D.C., on March 27, 1912. The trees symbolized the growing relationship between Japan and the United States and are therefore celebrated each spring to honor the two nations. Back in March, the 2020 parade was also canceled due to the District's state of emergency regarding COVID-19. It was scheduled to take place on April 4, 2020.
To find out more information about the 2021 National Cherry Blossom festival, visit nationalcherryblossomfestival.org or check our their Facebook (@CherryBlossomFestival), Instagram (@CherryBlossFest), or Twitter (@CherryBlossFest). Let us know how you feel about the parade's cancelation and what events you think the festival should include this year!
