A GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP
The Cherry Blossom Festival ia an annual event that celebrates the blooming of cherry blossom trees typically in late March to early April. The festival commemorates the gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Japan in 1912.
The first celebration of the festival took place in 1935, and since then, it has become a cherished tradition. The festival marks the anniversary of the initial planting and serves as a symbol of the enduring friendship between the United States and Japan.
The Festival was suspended during World War 2 when relations between the U.S and Japan suffered, but resumed shortly after the wars end in 1947.
Seattle has its own annual Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival, typically held at the Seattle Center. This festival celebrates Japanese culture and usually takes place during the cherry blossom blooming season. It features traditional performances, exhibits, and the beautiful cherry blossoms.
The Cherry Blossom Run was created as a way to celebrate this beautiful time of year, as well as the partnership between two nations.