The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.

(Photo: Flickr / Elvert Barnes)National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on Constitution Avenue near 10th Street, NW, Washington DC on Saturday morning, 14 April 2012

Dubbed as the nation's greatest springtime celebration, The National Cherry Blossom Festival gathers The National Park Service, Embassy of Japan, and Washington, D.C. leadership to celebrate the 102nd anniversary of the giving of trees from Tokyo, Japan to Washington, DC.

This festival started in 1912 when Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo gave 3000 cherry trees to the City of Washington, D.C.. This act of kindness started the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and the lasting friendship between the United States and Japan.

Today, the festival has grown from its simple beginnings into the best springtime celebration. Activities during the festival include students re-enacting the initial planting of the cherry trees.

Celebrities and outstanding performers like four time Grammy Award-winning gospel singer Regina Bell, pop star Aaron Carter, American singer, songwriter and recording artist Judith Hill, world-famous tango singer from Hokkaido, Japan Anna Saeki and Okinawan pop Singer Rimi Natsuka will entertain the crowd during the festival.

Other activities include a grand spectacle of Showmanship and parade of marching bands from across the country, elaborate floats, giant helium balloons, and specialty units that can only be seen once a year during the Festival.

A special 2014 Festival App for Android and iOS devices was also developed for this celebration. The app makes festival news easily available to tourists and its supporters. Download the National Cherry Blossom Fest app to keep up with the latest news and happenings. It also gives you all the information you need to know like how to get to the blossoms, FAQs, history, and other tools to get around DC and the Festival. It also blasts exclusive offers and discounts for the festivals.

The Festival App is your best gear for advance planning and event guide of this most awaited event.

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