FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Krysten Copeland
National Cherry Blossom Festival
202-630-3215
krysten@merakicommsgroup.com
National Cherry Blossom Festival Joined Ward 6 Community Pillars, Pilgrim Baptist Church and Girl Scouts Troop 6563 to Ring in Spring
Washington, D.C. [March 20, 2022] – Today, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the world’s greatest celebration of spring, kicked off the first day of spring and the vernal equinox at the historic Pilgrim Baptist Church with the Pilgrim Baptist Church Girl Scouts Troop 6563 in the spirit of community service and stewardship.
This year marks 110 years since Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo gifted 3,000 cherry trees to Washington, D.C., the 110th anniversary of Girl Scouts of the USA, and the 110th anniversary of Pilgrim Baptist Church. The three groups celebrated the first day of spring with fellowship, coffee and hot chocolate from the Dunkin’ Community Cruiser, a mobile sampling truck that serves first responders, charity walks, other community organizations and events throughout the region.
Lea Craigie-Marshall, the Festival’s 2022 Official Artist also attended the celebration and signed official Festival artwork posters for members of the community.
“This year’s Girl Scouts Sunday is extra special because we’re joined by the National Cherry Blossom Festival on the first day of spring,” said Reverend Louis B. Jones, II, Senior Pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church. “Springtime is an important time to usher in renewal and revitalize focus on making valuable contributions to lives, communities, and history— values that are shared by our church, our Girl Scouts, and the Festival. We are united in our commitment to service and look forward to another 110 years of encouraging friendship and good stewardship throughout the communities we serve.”
The Festival, March 20 – April 17, will feature four weeks of cultural exhibitions, events, performances, and educational programming across all of DC’s eight wards and beyond. The Festival’s signature Opening Ceremony, which serves as the official start of the Festival will return in traditional fashion to the Warner Theatre today, at 5 p.m.
For the health and safety of all participants, the Festival encourages attendees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in alignment with CDC recommendations. Please note that masking may be required at Festival events in areas where social distancing is not possible. Please review event details on the Festival website to determine whether proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required to attend. Please note that safety requirements may change, so please sign up for the Festival newsletter to receive the latest updates.
ABOUT NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the world’s great celebrations of spring. Hosted from March 20 – April 17, the 2022 Festival will include four weeks of events featuring diverse and creative programming that promotes traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty, and community spirit.
Visit NationalCherryBlossomFestival.org or call 877.44.BLOOM for more information, and check out Facebook (@CherryBlossomFestival), Instagram (@CherryBlossFest), Twitter (@CherryBlossFest), and YouTube (@NationalCherryBlossomFestivalDC). The Festival is supported by Leadership Circle Sponsors Events DC and Amazon.
