FYI, for those who are interested.

Info is per the chief horticulturist for the National Park Service. See today's Washington Post for more information.

Oh, this is disappointing! I'm to be there April 2-5! Are they usually correct?

Sorry, I should have clarified--April 4th-9th is just the forecast period for *peak* bloom. If the 4th-9th forecast holds true, I'm sure many blossoms will already be out by the time of your trip. The Post article says NPS has been correct 13 of the last 15 years.

Okay-I don't feel quite as bad. So, we should most likely see some trees blooming? I knew there was always a chance we might miss it but I'm getting really excited about it now and hope we don't. I'm taking my mother there who has never been to DC-it would be so great if they were blooming. Will there be spring flowering bulbs blooming at that time too?

And the official Sakura Matsuri is on Sat. April 9, right at the end of the peak blooming. How often does that happen? The D.C. city officials must be celebrating tonight.

It's been unusually cold for the last few weeks, but I'd be surprised if there weren't at least a few blooms by that time. The cherry trees are usually the very first tree/shrub species to bloom. I'm not as sure about flowers--to be honest I don't recall. Perhaps someone else can chime in. May is really the prime time to see everything in bloom (except the famous cherry trees, of course).

I feel like a completely uncultured idiot, but somehow Sakura Mastsuri doesn't ring a bell. I'd guess Japanese artist now showing at Smithsonian, but EMD you mention 1 day so perhaps it is some famous conductor to an Asian symphony performing. Or just maybe it is the presentation of the latest hybrid car??????? We could let people guess, or you could cut to the chase. I'm sure there are other clueless cads out there besides me! And regarding the blossoms, I'll pass, as I've had a string of bad luck weather, so wouldn't want to infringe on the festivities with a weather jinx. We used all our good luck on Red Sox and Patriots!

Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC
March 26-April 11
www.nps.gov/nacc/cherry/indexB.htm

It's a Japanese Street Festival and it will be on Sunday April 4th.

"Oh, this is disappointing! I'm to be there April 2-5! Are they usually correct?"

There's still hope for you. These predictions are about as accurate as predicting the stock market. It's just as possible they will be peaking during YOUR visit.

Good-I guess there's nothing I can do about it-but hate to be so close and miss it now that I've planned the trip.

laurelee, you won't miss it. Not only does your trip overlap the predicted peak by 2 days, but the peak is just that -- there are blooms before the peak and for a long time afterward.

And has been pointed out, that date is a month away and the bloom time is affted by temperatures, so it's still just an estimate. As you can see by the official NPS chart (link below), they haven't even started the *real* tracking yet. And as you can also see by the chart, the time that elapses between the first entry ("Green color in buds") and the peak bloom can vary a lot. Oh, dear, I guess I'm saying that you could miss it after all!

http://www.nps.gov/nacc/cherry/

The Japan America Society's annual Sakura Matsuri is on Saturday April 9 this year. Last year they had sumo at Freedon Plaza, Japanese drummers, sushi chefs doing their thing, etc.

Offical website:
http://nationalcherryblossomfestival...dex.php?id=421

gyppielou, have a nice day.
It's sunny here in D.C., and my son and I leave for Japan a week from tomorrow. We should be able to catch alot of Sakura Matsuri there according to the blooming predictions for Kyoto at end of March, then come back to D.C. for more of it here.

Anybody been through the lobby of the Willard or to their Peacock Alley cherry blossom tea before. I guess there are live blossoms everywhere. Has anyone experienced this?

Have not been to the Peacock Alley cherry blossom tea but the lobby and restaurant are very beautiful. The restaurant is very good but VERY expensive.

BTW, The best way to enjoy the cherry blossoms is to pack a nice picnic lunch (don't forget wine!) and spread out on the grass close to the area by the paddle boat rentals at the Tidal Basin. You'll see more cherry blossoms than anything the Willard can come up with.

The lunch by the Tidal Basin in the midst of the cherry blossoms sounds heavenly-can't wait! I'm coming from the midwest where we have no color right now. I'll keep my fingers crossed for nice weather.

Early April is usually a terrible time weather and scenery wise to visit the DC area. While the average high is in the low 60s, it is common for weather to be in the 40s. Nights and mornings are cold and wind is common.

Also in early April, the grass and trees have not turned green. Outside of the Tidal Basin things still are winterlike.

The most beautiful time of year in Washington DC is late April and early May when all the trees bust out and Dogwoods are everywhere. Weather usually near 70 degrees by then.

Laurelee,
You and your mom can get a nice lunch to go at the Old Ebbitt's Express, less than a block away. Grab something there and the cab will have you to the Tidal Basin while the food is still warm.

Also, Red Sage had a little take-out ``market'' (separate door on F St.) that is kitty-corner from the Willard's back side. Corner Bakery will probably work too. If you want a bottle of wine, Press Liquor (not a great selection) is right across the street.

I wouldn't do your picnic on a weekend though. Saturdays and Sundays at the height of cherry blossom season are an absolute zoo anywhere in the vicinity of the tidal basin--particularly if the weather is good. Go in the middle of the week when at least the locals are tied up at work.