The National Park Service made the announcement just before noon on Monday the nation's springtime celebration hit its peak as the Cherry Blossom Festival continues this week.
It's no April Fool - the cherry blossoms have reached peak bloom! Based on the current conditions and forecast, you can expect to see the trees in blossom for the next seven to 10 days. #CherryBlossomDCpic.twitter.com/3PtFhsE0f3
— National Mall NPS (@NationalMallNPS) April 1, 2019
Cherry trees blossom along the Tidal Basin on the National Mall March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
The Cherry Blossom Festival drew crowds over the weekend as tourists came to look at the blooms and other checked out the kite festival. Thousands came out Monday to admire the gift to our nation that's over 100 years old.
"The National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Tokyo to Washington, D.C. This year is the 107th anniversary. First Lady Taft was really behind orchestrating this as well," said Diana Mayhew, President of Cherry Blossom Festival.
The Yoshino trees were bare just a few weeks ago. Monday, they are the main attraction everyone came to see.
"Three weeks ago, we saw the first of the six phases that we go through in the bloom cycle. They've now opened up on this and about 70 percent on the trees around the Tidal Basin," said Mike Litterst, National Park Service.
Large crowds are expected in DC this week as the Cherry Blossom Festival continues. People headed to the festival should expect lots of people this weekend as well.
"I come every year. I live in Annandale. I jumped on the metro, came down and I take the same exact pictures every year," said Diane McLaughlin, tourist.
The temperature is good for the trees because it keeps the blossoms strong, and on a day like this, you won't hear any complaints with the festival in full bloom.
"I think it's just exciting to see people outside again. It's sort of like wow, it's going to get warm eventually," said Matthew Richardson, tourist.
The Festival will last until April 14. It's not all about the trees. They have live entertainment, as well as a performance from pop singer Megan Trainor this weekend.
You can see some photos from the weekend below. Just swipe the photos to the left to go through the gallery.
Kites fly near the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, DC on March 30, 2019 during the Cherry Blossom Kite Festival. - The event is part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival which runs from March 20 to April 14, 2019 with peak blooms of cherry blossoms expected April 1st. (Photo by EVA HAMBACH / AFP) (Photo credit should read EVA HAMBACH/AFP/Getty Images)A man gets his kite off the ground on the National Mall in Washington, DC on March 30, 2019 during the Cherry Blossom Kite Festival. - The event is part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival which runs from March 20 to April 14, 2019 with peak blooms of cherry blossoms expected April 1st. (Photo by EVA HAMBACH / AFP) (Photo credit should read EVA HAMBACH/AFP/Getty Images)People fly their kites on the National Mall in Washington, DC on March 30, 2019 during the Cherry Blossom Kite Festival. - The event is part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival which runs from March 20 to April 14, 2019 with peak blooms of cherry blossoms expected April 1st. (Photo by EVA HAMBACH / AFP) (Photo credit should read EVA HAMBACH/AFP/Getty Images)Kites fly near the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, DC on March 30, 2019 during the Cherry Blossom Kite Festival. - The event is part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival which runs from March 20 to April 14, 2019 with peak blooms of cherry blossoms expected April 1st. (Photo by EVA HAMBACH / AFP) (Photo credit should read EVA HAMBACH/AFP/Getty Images)A man flies a kite on the National Mall in Washington, DC on March 30, 2019 during the Cherry Blossom Kite Festival. - The event is part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival which runs from March 20 to April 14, 2019 with peak blooms of cherry blossoms expected April 1st. (Photo by EVA HAMBACH / AFP) (Photo credit should read EVA HAMBACH/AFP/Getty Images)Kites fly near the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, DC on March 30, 2019 during the Cherry Blossom Kite Festival. - The event is part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival which runs from March 20 to April 14, 2019 with peak blooms of cherry blossoms expected April 1st. (Photo by EVA HAMBACH / AFP) (Photo credit should read EVA HAMBACH/AFP/Getty Images)A womam flies her kite on the National Mall in Washington, DC on March 30, 2019 during the Cherry Blossom Kite Festival. - The event is part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival which runs from March 20 to April 14, 2019 with peak blooms of cherry blossoms expected April 1st. (Photo by EVA HAMBACH / AFP) (Photo credit should read EVA HAMBACH/AFP/Getty Images)A womam flies her kite on the National Mall in Washington, DC on March 30, 2019 during the Cherry Blossom Kite Festival. - The event is part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival which runs from March 20 to April 14, 2019 with peak blooms of cherry blossoms expected April 1st. (Photo by EVA HAMBACH / AFP) (Photo credit should read EVA HAMBACH/AFP/Getty Images)Cherry trees blossom along the Tidal Basin on the National Mall March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)A woman walks past a puddle while the cherry trees blossom along the Tidal Basin on the National Mall March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)People visit the cherry trees while they blossom along the Tidal Basin on the National Mall March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)A man walks before blossoming cherry trees along the Tidal Basin on the National Mall March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)The US Capitol is framed with blossoming cherry trees along the Tidal Basin on the National Mall March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)A man walks through the rain while the cherry trees blossom along the Tidal Basin on the National Mall March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)Kites fly near the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, DC on March 30, 2019 during the Cherry Blossom Kite Festival. - The event is part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival which runs from March 20 to April 14, 2019 with peak blooms of cherry blossoms expected April 1st. (Photo by EVA HAMBACH / AFP) (Photo credit should read EVA HAMBACH/AFP/Getty Images)
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