Saturday marked the grand commencement of Washington D.C.'s annual Cherry Blossom Festival, homage to peaceful international intentions between Japan and our nation's capital. The first cherry blossom tree was planted on the Tidal Basin in 1912, and since then has expanded to over three thousand trees, two weeks of celebration, and lots and lots of people. Last year's blooms were somewhat disappointing, as the weather was incredibly cold and windy, blowing all the blossoms away, but RIGHT NOW is the 2007 peak bloom (April 3-5, according to the National Cherry Blossom page) so get out there and enjoy them while they last!I finally made it to the annual Smithsonian Kite Festival, a mishmash of kite flyers, experienced and novice alike. Anyone wanting to brave the traffic also had to resign themselves to being ambushed by renegade plastic flying projectiles. The Rokkaku kite battle was fascinating as well, kites being shoved to the ground or 'cut', strings literally shorn with the friction of warring enemies. My own attempts at flying a kite failed miserably; another talent best left up to the experts.
I could not help but be reminded of my own hometown's cherished Lilac Festival, informally started in 1892 and home to North America's largest lilac collection... which really isn't that distinguished of a title, but there you go. The blooms really are quite beautiful though, adding another reason to why I love spring.
So what cool goes on where you live? If you are a current DC resident, is the Cherry Blossom Festival your favorite or is there something else? I'm kind of a fan of the Drag Queen Race myself, though I have yet to attend (or participate)... and if you can't think of anything exciting that goes on in your town, you need to move.
7 comments:
I too drove down into the depths of DC to try and partake of the aforementioned kite festival, but was thwarted by the evil parking gremlins. So, even though I didn't actually get out of my car and partake in the kite-flying experience, I was able to see how magnificent the view was of the kites against cherry tree blossoms and DC architecture. Beautiful!
Milwaukee has lots of fun ethnic festivals that take place all summer long, but my favorites are Polish Fest and German Fest. I don't have an ounce of Polish or German blood in me, but all you have to do is visit WI to be honorarily adopted into either of those ethnicities! Great food and who can pass up the yodeling contests? FYI: Milwaukee also boasts Bastille Days, Festa Italiana, African World Festival, Arab World Fest, Irish Fest, Indian Summer and Summerfest. We're all kinds of fun in Wisconsin! My all-time favorite, though? It has to be our good old Wisconsin State Fair. Cream puffs, baked potatoes and frozen custard...no wonder WI has sometimes been considered one of the fattest states in the U.S. Mmmm, comfort food!
In my home town, Rooster Days was a favorite festival. Parades, the Miss Chick Pageant, Main Street blocked off with carnival rides, homegrown talent with a little Diamond Rio mixed in, and funnel cakes. My first funnel cake was at Rooster Days. Mmm. I do love funnel cakes.
Summer Fest! Christina, so few know the joy...and so few can tolerate all the beer, brats, and cream puffs...yeah, this is not for the egg white omelette eaters. I'm a personal fan of Bastille Days...the Bastille Run through the city? It's a classic.
In my own town there's always the lovely Taylorsville Dayzz, (Dayzz from the era when double z's were cool in Utah a couple years ago). This lasts for 3 days with a parade, concerts in the ballpark, and a hoo-ah grand-finale firework show that last for about an hour. There are also many other fun events in surrounding areas. For example, the International Food Festival at the city county building in downtown Salt Lake. Also I have two words for you Llama Fest, (Pretty much the only reason to travel down to Utah County). Also, if you ever make it down to Glendale, Utah make sure you plan your trip around the Rocky Mountain Oyster festival. Definitely something every person should experience once in their life time. (if you don't know what a rocky mountain oyster is please visit wikipedia.) In short, Utah is pretty happenin'.
Handsome Rob-- I LOVE Llama Fest!! It's one of the two things I miss about Utah: that and Cafe Rio. One of my last wards at BYU rented llamas for a party they had; I had forgotten about it (I didn't attend, being a newly returned missionary I thought myself above such trifle things as parties) but was startled the next morning heading up to campus to see llamas being led down my street, lazily eating the meager grass...
I've always personally wanted to attend the Gilroy Garlic Festival; I really want the experience of garlic ice cream.
A Bastille Run through Mequon? This I have to see. You Wisconsinians, I never thought you had it in you...
...and Wendi, we need to get some funnel cakes before you temporarily depart...
UPC - unfortunately, I've never partaken of the Bastille Days glory. Perhaps I need to make a trip this summer.
Jen, we prefer Wisconsinites...kind of like a troglodyte...with only a few differences.
Oh and I don't think this exactly fits in with "festivals", but it's definitely a happenin' thing. Ever heard of the Polar Bear Club? Milwaukee has a chapter that takes the plunge every New Year's Day in Lake Michigan and I've always wanted to participate. Maybe I can find a DC chapter to join?
I was in church in the Milwaukee singles ward when they were recruiting for the Mormon contingent of the Milwaukee Polar Bear club. This one kid even built his entire lesson in combined Relief Society/Priesthood about the Polar Bear club experience...yeah, it was a 45 minute joke that was 45 minutes too long...but there is a strong following...
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