FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Norma Kelly, norma@jrcommunications.com
National Cherry Blossom Festival
National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade® Brings Walt Disney World® Resort Magic, “Abbott Elementary” Star Lisa Ann Walter, Celebrity Performers, High School Marching Bands to D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. [April 11, 2023] — The National Cherry Blossom Festival announced National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade presented by Events DC will bring the magic of Walt Disney World Resort to the Festival, with Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse serving as Grand Marshals of the Parade. Serving as Honorary Marshal and Host is actor (“Abbott Elementary”), comedian, producer, and D.C. area native Lisa Ann Walter.
Considered one of the Festival’s signature events, the Nation’s Springtime Parade will take place on April 15, 2023, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in Washington, D.C. on Constitution Avenue NW (between 7th and 17th Streets). The Parade will also feature celebrity performances, marching bands from around the country, including D.C.’s own Ballou High School, thematic floats, and giant helium balloons.
“We are excited to bring the magic of Walt Disney World Resort and welcome D.C. area native Lisa Ann Walter to the Parade,” said Diana Mayhew, president, and CEO of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. “The nation’s favorite Springtime Parade has long been one of the most-anticipated celebrations at the Festival. We’re thrilled to invite everyone to join us to create new memories with friends and family this year.”
Lisa Ann Walter
Raised in Silver Spring, Md., the daughter of a Washington, D.C. Public Schools teacher, Walter is one of the stars in Quinta Brunson’s critically acclaimed Emmy Award winning workplace comedy “Abbott Elementary” on ABC. Walter’s film career highlights include stand-out performances as Chessy in The Parent Trap with Dennis Quaid and Bobbie in Shall We Dance opposite Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez.
“I am thrilled that Events DC is once again the presenting sponsor of the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s parade, which is bringing fantastic talent to perform,” said Events DC President and CEO Angie M. Gates. “The National Cherry Blossom Festival is truly the world’s greatest celebration of spring and continues to offer world-class entertainment in the nation’s capital, helping to create lasting memories for residents and visitors.”
Celebrity performances at the Parade include:
- Freedom Williams, formerly of C+C Music Factory singing the multiplatinum hit “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)”
- Thelma Houston, Grammy Award-winning vocalist and Motown legend
- Parijita Bastola, DC area native and The Voice Semifinalist
- Omar Jose Cardona, “The Voice” finalist
- Leah Marlene, “American Idol” finalist
- Michael James Scott, the Genie in Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway. The North American touring production of Aladdin plays The National Theatre in D.C. from April 19 – 30, 2023.
The local ABC affiliate 7News On Your Side will air the Parade in a delayed telecast on Saturday, April 22 at 1 p.m. and again on Sunday, April 23 at 8 p.m. on cable channel WJLA 24/7 News. The parade will be hosted by WJLA-TV News on Your Side anchors Alison Starling, Robert Burton, Eileen Whelan, with Gio Benitez of Good Morning America and Emmy Award-winning TV personality Carson Kressley, providing commentary from the street.
Reserved grandstand tickets are available for purchase in Telecast as well as along Constitution Avenue between 15th and 17th Streets NW, where Toby and Chilli from WASHFM will keep the energy blossoming all morning at the end of the Parade route. Group tickets for 10 or more are also available. The public can stand along parts of the Parade route between 9th and 15th Streets NW for free, on a first-come, first-served basis. The event is Metro-accessible via the Archives-Navy Memorial stop on the Yellow/Green lines or Federal Triangle on the Blue/Orange lines.
The Parade is presented by Events DC. Additional support is provided by Amazon, ANA, BetMGM, CSI Printing & Graphics, Hilton, LaCroix Sparkling Water, Lime, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, and Park West Gallery. Media partners include 7News & WJLA 24/7 News, The Washington Informer, The Washington Post, and iHeartMedia.
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About the National Cherry Blossom Festival
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the world’s great celebrations of spring. The 2023 Festival, March 18-April 16, will include four weeks of events featuring diverse and creative programming promoting traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty, and community spirit. Leadership Circle Sponsors for the 2023 National Cherry Blossom Festival are Events DC and Amazon. Add the 2023 Festival and signature events to your calendar, and visit NationalCherryBlossomFestival.org or call 877.44.BLOOM (877.442.5666) for more information. Get the latest updates via email, and be sure to follow the Festival on Facebook (@CherryBlossomFestival), Instagram (@CherryBlossFest), Twitter (@CherryBlossFest) and YouTube (@CherryBlossFest).
