The National Cherry Blossom Festival, one of the world’s greatest celebrations of spring, announced this week that the 2021 Festival, scheduled for March 20-April 11, will proceed, but with changes due to ongoing restrictions caused by Covid-19.
Notably, the Festival Parade will be canceled for 2021. Yet a full schedule of safe programming for the 2021 Festival is being developed, with more details to come.
To dampen the disappointment of losing the parade (??) the Festival announced the inaugural Spirit of Spring 5K virtual run and walk, being held November 6-15. Proceeds from the Spirit of Spring 5K will benefit both the 2021 Festival programming, which will remain predominantly free and ope
n to the public, and the Trust for the National Mall’s Cherry Tree Endowment, which supports the year-round care and maintenance of the 3,800 cherry trees on the National Mall, in partnership with the National Park Service.
“While the crunch of leaves and crisper air have welcomed fall’s arrival, the National Cherry Blossom Festival is already looking ahead to the cherished springtime celebration in our Nation’s capital,” said Diana Mayhew, president and CEO of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. “We hope the community will join us virtually, sometime between November 6 and November 15, to run or walk solo or with their family, friends, or four-legged best friends to help support the Festival’s mission and the preservation of the iconic cherry trees.”
Registrants will receive a limited edition 2020 Festival T-shirt and a collectible 2020 commemorative pin; Dog bandanas and collapsible water bowls are also available for the first 200 dog runners, thanks to the support of Mars Petcare.
