Cherry blossoms reach stage 3 of bloom watch, peak bloom still on track

Kaitlyn and Dan from Baltimore take in the view of the cherry blossoms. The hat, Kaitlyn told WTOP, was her sole purchase at the festival to help her brave the cold. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Visitors can participate in several activities at the National Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Clara Villemure from Quebec draws the a cherry blossom tree blooming on Saturday, March 23, 2019, during the National Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The National Cherry Blossom Festival has a medical tent for visitors who may need assistance. (WTOP/Kristi King)
The cherry blossoms at the tidal basin reach stage 3 of their blooms on Saturday, March 23, 2019. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Visitors take the cherry blossoms in their stage 3 of blooms on Saturday, March 23, 2019. (WTOP/Kristi King)
These visitors from D.C. New York and Ukraine take a selfie at the Tidal Basin in D.C. on Saturday, March 23, 2019. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Performers dance during one of the events at the National Cherry Blossom Festival on Saturday, March 23, 2019. (Courtesy Blue Ridge Thunder Cloggers)
The Osama El Zamzamy family celebrates their child’s 1st birthday at the Tidal Basin. (WTOP/Kristi King)
A collectible lapel pin from the 2019 Cherry Blossom Festival. The card it is attached to gives the history of the festival (WTOP/Kristi King)
Cherry blossom 3 Seiji Ito puts his face into a photo stand-in at the Tidal Basin. (WTOP/Kristi King)
D2YE5OiX0AcNNDK Art opportunities abound at the Cherry Blossom Festival. Pictured, Marie Claire and her mom Heidi enjoying the bloom in their native D.C. (WTOP/Kristi King)
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The annual explosion of cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin frames the Washington Monument in the distance, Thursday, April 5, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)(AP/J. Scott Applewhite)

It’s the first official weekend of The Cherry Blossom Festival and peak bloom is still expected to arrive on schedule, with the blossoms reaching stage three of the bloom watch Saturday.

Stage three indicates an extension of the florets and an average of 12 to 17 days to peak bloom. Peak bloom is April 3 to April 6.

With all the options for beautiful views and events, you can also expect some pretty large crowds. National Park Service spokesman Mike Litterst says your best bet to get to the District is public transportation.

“It’s a short walk from the Smithsonian metro station to the Tidal Basin welcome area where all the events are taking place,” Litterst said. “The Circulator makes a stop there as well.”

Once you arrive, you may want to avoid some of the more iconic sites and opt for the lesser known locations to catch the views.

“If you, for example, get down to East Potomac Park, you could get away from the crowds a little bit. There’s just as many trees, it’s just as beautiful,” Litterst said.

This year, Litterst said more than one million people are expected to pass through the District for the festival. While selfies are encouraged, he’s reminding visitors to respect the trees.

“Please don’t climb the trees, don’t break off branches and take blossoms with you … stick to the paths,” Litterst said. “If you’re off the path, you’re walking on the roots and all those feet can compact the soil and create problems for the trees.”

The Cherry Blossom Festival will wrap up with a parade along Constitution Avenue April 14th.

Melissa Howell

Melissa Howell joined WTOP Radio in March 2018 and is excited to cover stories that matter across D.C., as well as in Maryland and Virginia. 

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