2003 Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival

by Paul Burress

The birds, the bees and, yes, the trees. Springtime has finally arrived and what better way to feel that spring in your step than by checking out this year's Cherry Blossom Festival? One hundred of a planned 1,000 trees will be planted this year, in the hope that by 2007 they will form the backdrop for the city's Cherry Blossom celebration, which is hoped to be a major, international cultural event. The festival continues in the tradition established in 1926 when the Japanese government donated cherry trees to Philadelphia in honor of the sesquicentennial of American independence.

This year trees will be planted along Montgomery Drive near the horticulture center in Fairmount Park. During the planting ceremony, Mayor Street will proclaim April 6-12 as Greater Philadelphia Cherry Blossom Festival Week. Cherry Blossom queens from both the U.S. and Japan will be on hand while traditional Japanese activities such as Taiko drumming, martial arts demonstrations, tea ceremony, and origami and ikebana workshops go on, plus music and Japanese food. On Monday evening the celebration moves to Roy's Philadelphia with a sushi tasting conducted by nationally recognized master sushi chefs from Japan. The closing gala will take place on Saturday at the Ritz-Carlton and will feature a traditional barrel-breaking ceremony, Japanese music, a three-course dinner, dancing and a silent auction. So when you are strolling down the avenue this week, take a detour to the festival and take a breath of the cherry-tinged spring air.

2003 Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival, April 6-12, planting ceremony, Sun., April 6, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., free, Horticulture Center, Fairmount Park; sushi tasting, Mon., April 7, 6 p.m., $45, Roy’s Philadelphia, 124 S. 15th St.; closing gala, Sat., April 12, 6:30 p.m., $275, Ritz-Carlton, 10 S. Broad St ., 215-790-3810.