Back again to Washington DC for the Cherry Blossom Parade. Getting there was easy enough on the train and we only had to walk a few blocks to get there. The first thing we saw was some cherry blossom inflatables. This marked the beginning or the staging point for the parade entries. We walked up a couple blocks and found a place to sit in front of the Museum of Natural History and across the street from the Internal Revenue Service.

Cherry Blossoms

Cherry Blossom Parade

George and Abe

Every year the National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates the gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Japan in 1912. It has grown over the years and now lasts for five weeks.

Cherry Blossom Parade

After the parade we attended the Japanese Street Festival just a few blocks away. This covered several blocks and was filled with all kinds of Japanese food vendors and displays and activities. Lots of people dressed in Japanese attire and some in Japanese media characters.

Japanese Street Festival

On the way back to the train station we passed the Navy Memorial. The United States Navy Band was performing.

The US Navy Band Concert

Sailors at the Navy Memorial

Coast Guard Having Fun

• Gasoline Expense:  none
• Lodging Expense:   $8
• Admission Fees:      $20
• Transportation:       $16