Photos: National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade

Giant balloons float through the National Cherry Blossom Parade route in 2017. (WTOP/Dennis Foley, file)

WASHINGTON — After the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade swept through downtown D.C., streets that were closed in light of the celebration began opening shortly after 3 p.m.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade is one of D.C.’s largest events, bringing people together from across the nation.

The parade was packed with elaborate floats, dancers, musical performances and marching bands.

Some special guests that graced the festival included helium balloon characters Peppa Pig, the Magic School Bus, Smurfette and Sam I Am.

Celebrity appearances included Grand Marshal Carla Hall of ABC’s The Chew, contestants from The Voice Billy Gilman and Sarah Potenza, country singer Ty Herndon and the Extreme pogo stunt team.

Jean Dunbar traveled from Pennsylvania to join in on the festivities. She said she enjoyed the “wonderful” parade and had a great time.

Maureen Denyszyn came with her son Robert to see her daughter perform with All Star Dance.

“We’re so happy to be out here celebrating the Cherry blossom festival,” she said.

Spectators and participants took advantage of the warm weather, as temperatures reached the 80s by the early afternoon.

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED NHK WORLD - NHK WORLD-JAPAN's mascot, Domo, left, rides on a float with PBS Kid's Super Why! in the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on Saturday, April 14, 2018 in Washington. (Kevin Wolf/AP Images for NHK World) — NHK WORLD-JAPAN’s mascot, Domo, left, rides on a float with PBS Kid’s Super Why! in the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on Saturday, April 14, 2018 in Washington. (Kevin Wolf/AP Images for NHK World)

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED NHK WORLD - National Cherry Blossom Festival Princess's Kurumi Sato, center, and Yaroslava Kuzina meet NHK WORLD-JAPAN's mascot, Domo, left, during the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on Saturday, April 14, 2018 in Washington. (Kevin Wolf/AP Images for NHK World) — National Cherry Blossom Festival Princess’s Kurumi Sato, center, and Yaroslava Kuzina meet NHK WORLD-JAPAN’s mascot, Domo, left, during the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on Saturday, April 14, 2018 in Washington. (Kevin Wolf/AP Images for NHK World)

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED NHK WORLD - Miss University of the District of Columbia Tajah Franklin reacts to seeing NHK WORLD-JAPAN's mascot, Domo, at the start of the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on Saturday, April 14, 2018 in Washington. (Kevin Wolf/AP Images for NHK World) — Miss University of the District of Columbia Tajah Franklin reacts to seeing NHK WORLD-JAPAN’s mascot, Domo, at the start of the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on Saturday, April 14, 2018 in Washington. (Kevin Wolf/AP Images for NHK World)

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED NHK WORLD - NHK WORLD-JAPAN's mascot, Domo, floats above the U.S. Capitol at the start of the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on Saturday, April 14, 2018 in Washington. (Kevin Wolf/AP Images for NHK World) — NHK WORLD-JAPAN’s mascot, Domo, floats above the U.S. Capitol at the start of the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on Saturday, April 14, 2018 in Washington. (Kevin Wolf/AP Images for NHK World)

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED NHK WORLD - NHK WORLD-JAPAN's mascot, Domo, floats above the parade route near the Washington Monument during the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on Saturday, April 14, 2018 in Washington. (Kevin Wolf/AP Images for NHK World) — NHK WORLD-JAPAN’s mascot, Domo, floats above the parade route near the Washington Monument during the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on Saturday, April 14, 2018 in Washington. (Kevin Wolf/AP Images for NHK World)

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED NHK WORLD - NHK WORLD-JAPAN's mascot, Domo, poses for a photo with members of the Austintown-Fitch High School marching band, from Austintown, Ohio, at the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on Saturday, April 14, 2018 in Washington. (Kevin Wolf/AP Images for NHK World) — NHK WORLD-JAPAN’s mascot, Domo, poses for a photo with members of the Austintown-Fitch High School marching band, from Austintown, Ohio, at the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on Saturday, April 14, 2018 in Washington. (Kevin Wolf/AP Images for NHK World)

The 2018 Cherry Blossom Parade performers🌸🌺🌸🌺 @WTOP pic.twitter.com/KX2n6yIIHE
— Melissa Howell (@Mhowell003) April 14, 2018

The festival has picked up a few new characters for this year’s festivities. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)

The cast of large helium balloon characters featured in this year’s parade includes first-time visitors to the District, Peppa Pig, the Magic School Bus, Smurfette and Sam I Am. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)

Streets along the National Mall were closed as the parade took place. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)

Enjoy giant balloons,
floats and entertainment during the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on Saturday,
April 14. (Courtesy National Cherry Blossom Festival) — Giant balloons and floats are part of the entertainment during the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. A number of roads were closed for the festivities Saturday. (Courtesy National Cherry Blossom Festival)

ADVISORY: Downtown CLOSURES on Pennsylvania, Constitution Aves 3rd to 23rd and 4th thru 17th St N/S across the Mall for @CherryBlossFest parade and @sakuramatsuri Japanese Street Festival #DCTraffic

More via @WTOP: https://t.co/Y2APjrGuoP pic.twitter.com/b8cfaTjTwp
— WTOP Traffic (@WTOPtraffic) April 14, 2018

Downtown closures on Pennsylvania, Constitution Aves 3rd to 23rd and 4th thru 17th St N/S across the Mall (WTOP Traffic/Twitter) (Courtesy National Cherry Blossom Festival)

Warm and dry conditions expected once again today with high temperatures reaching the 80s for most locations. pic.twitter.com/AmWiHVrTdm
— NWS DC/Baltimore (@NWS_BaltWash) April 14, 2018

Saturday was warm with high temperatures reaching the 80s for most areas in the D.C. region. (Courtesy National Cherry Blossom Festival)