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It’s the most wonderful, most pink time of the year once again. Despite the colder temperatures experienced, the National Cherry Blossom Festival is expected to continue without a hitch.
For those who may be new to the area or who wish for further information, Curbed DC has put together this guide on the signature event of the festival, more specifically the parade.
Have any further questions? Let Curbed DC know in the comment section.
When and where will the parade be?
On Saturday, April 8, the parade will occur from 10 a.m. to noon on Constitution Avenue NW, from 7th to 17th streets NW.
The event is free to the public with no tickets required. Expect crowds, tons and tons of crowds. If interested in nabbing a vantage point with clear views, it’s worth considering buying a ticket for grandstand seating. Ticket prices start at $20.
Who will perform?
Along with 10 blocks of giant colorful helium balloons and elaborate floats, there will also be a variety of marching bands, celebrity entertainers, and dancers. This year, the celebrity talent will include:
- 98 Degrees member and Dancing with the Stars winner Drew Lachey
- Grammy nominated country singer Jo Dee Messina
- D.C. native and chart-topping rapper DJ Kool
- Breakout star from the most recent season of America’s Got Talent Brian Justin Crum
- R&B singer/songwriter Blu Cantrell
- Vocalist Mari
- Glee star Alex Newell
- Miss America Saavy Shields
- Dancing with the Stars’ Carrie Ann Inaba and Good Morning America’s Rob Marciano
For the full list of performers expected to join the parade, check out this fact sheet.
What is Sakura Matsuri?
On the same day as the parade, there will also be a street festival, known as Sakura Matsuri. This annual tradition will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood. The event will be hosted at the corner of M Street SE and New Jersey Avenue SE.
This rain-or-shine, one-day celebration of Japanese culture will offer performances on four stages with over 80 cultural groups, arts vendors, and food booths. For the full list of performances, here is the full schedule with full descriptions of each performer here.
Tickets for the event cost between $0 for children and up to $10 for adults.