By Allison Keyes, special to wtop.com
WASHINGTON– Despite the chilly weather predicted for Sunday, there’s no shortage of events set for the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
Diana Mayhew, the festival president, says there will be 100 performances over 16 of the 28 days. There are several performances set for Sunday at the performance stage at the Tidal Basin, including Swagfunk Band, which does a blend of rock, funk, jazz, pop and reggae.
The performance schedule was moved up after The National Park Service updated its prediction for peak bloom dates to later this week.
Other changes include moving many events all the way south to the National Park Service Titanic Park, partly due to the Wharf Development taking place along the Southwest waterfront. The parade will take place on April 16 along Constitution Avenue. Restrictions on street closures in front of the Trump Hotel on Pennsylvania avenue forced the popular Japanese Street Festival to change its location.
“The Japan-America Society is moving their event to the Capitol Riverfront BID to give them more space,” Mayhew explains.
Also this year, for the first time, The D.C. Circulator’s new National Mall route drops visitors steps away from the blossoms at the Tidal Basin. Visitors can also catch a water taxi to the Tidal Basin from Georgetown, but must buy tickets online in advance from www.DC-Cruises.com. The National Cherry Blossom Festival continues through April 17.
