Philadelphia Opens 2014 Not-Quite-Ready Cherry Blossom Festival
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Sponsors and organizers held a big kickoff ceremony today for the two-week Cherry Blossom Festival in Philadelphia.
GUIDE: The 2014 Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival
But there was a significant no-show at today's event: the cherry blossoms.
----
The taiko drums (top photo) were just the beginning of activities leading up to the grand finale in Fairmount Park on "Sakura Sunday," April 13th.
Japan America Society assistant director Aaron Dilliplane says there will be J-pop along with more traditional entertainment, crafts, martial arts demonstrations, and more: "Pretty much anything you can think of that has a Japanese tie, it's all going to be there for that day."
Organizers are also hoping for actual cherry blossoms by then. After the long, intense winter, the buds are behind schedule.
Event co-sponsor Adelaide Ferguson is optimistic.
"Although the cherry blossoms aren't with us today, we're confident they'll be with us on the 13th," she said.
You can see a full rundown of events at subarucherryblossom.org.