Get Out!🌸 The 2025 Cherry Blossom Festival gets underway on Friday, March 14! 🌸

by Peggy Robin

 

What's the best thing coming to Washington to help take your mind off all the bad stuff?

 

🌸🌸🌸 CHERRY BLOSSOMS! 🌸🌸🌸

 

Get started on the main page: https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/

 

My pick for the best thing of the entire 2-week festival, is the race named for everyone's favorite little cherry tree, STUMPY, who gave his life so that the seawall could be rebuilt and many trees could be saved! (May his many clones live long and prosper!) It's....

 

Stumpy’s Petals & Paddles Race  

Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 4:30 PM

at the Tidal Basin, 1501 Maine Ave SW

Free for spectators

Tickets for competitors: $100 for 2 people, additional $20 for extra rider

Buy tickets: https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/boatingindc-tidalbasin/items/599484/calendar/2025/03/?flow=no&full-items=yes

 

Stumpy’s Petals and Paddles Race at the Tidal Basin promises an exciting and vibrant kick-off to spring and the National Cherry Blossom Festival. This event invites participants of all ages to race pedal boats across the iconic Tidal Basin, a beautiful body of water surrounded by the famous monuments and memorials.

 

Racers will experience the serene yet exhilarating atmosphere of the Tidal Basin, navigating their boats past the delicate blossoms that attract visitors from around the world annually. The race features both timed heats and friendly competitions, with awards for the fastest boats per age group and best dressed participants.

TRANSPORTATION: Parking is limited in the District, especially during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. It’s highly recommended that visitors use DC’s alternative transportation modes like Capital Bikeshare, DC Streetcar, Scooters, Metrobus, and Metrorail to make the most of their experience.

 

For Metrorail: Get off at the following stations: Smithsonian or L’Enfant Plaza

 

For all the other events of the 2-week festival, go to:

https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/all-events/ 

 

Here are a few of the best bets of the Cherry Blossom Festival starting tomorrow, March 14 through Thursday, March 20:

 

Friday, March 14: PINK TIE PARTY - DC’S ULTIMATE SPRING BASH 

https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/event/pink-tie-party/

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-pink-tie-party-tickets-1062864409059?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

March 20-23, 2025 • Art in Bloom DC 2025 at Anderson House

Theme: Cherry Blossom Dreams: A Springtime Celebration

More information and tickets: https://www.artinbloomdc.com/ 

 

March 20 - 27, 2025 • Cherry Blossom Magic at the Museum of Illusions DC 6-9PM

CityCenter DC, 927 H St NW

More information and tickets: https://moiwashington.com/current-event/join-us-for-paint-play-and-pour-at-the-museum-of-illusions-dc/

 

Come back to the "Get Out!" column on Thursday, March 20, for Cherry Blossom events that start on Friday, March 21 or take place on the weekend of March 22-23.

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The "Get Out" events column is posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Thursdays