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Each spring, Washington, D.C. is home to some of the finest cherry blossom trees in the U.S. and the famous National Cherry Blossom Festival, a three-week-long celebration between late March and mid-April. And while many of us can't travel to see D.C.'s world-famous cherry blossoms in person this year, it doesn't mean the blooms can't come to us.
To help the public get their fill of cherry blossom season, The Trust for the National Mall and the National Cherry Blossom Festival launched BloomCam, a live, round-the-clock view of the cherry trees at the National Mall Tidal Basin and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. This means that cherry blossom chasers can still catch a glimpse of D.C.'s 3,700 cherry blossom trees putting on a spectacular display.
“Once the National Cherry Blossom Festival was canceled, we immediately began thinking creatively about virtual ways to allow the more than 1.5 million people who typically visit this time of year to continue to celebrate and support the cherry blossoms—one of the most popular and beloved sites in Washington, D.C.,” Catherine Townsend, President & CEO of the Trust for the National Mall explained in a statement.
There's plenty of time to catch the cherry blossom tree action as The National Park Service as peak bloom isn't expected until between April 11 and 14. Peak bloom is considered to occur when 70 percent of the Yoshino cherry trees along the Tidal Basin are in bloom.
Diana Mayhew, President of the National Cherry Blossom Festival added, “Washington D.C.’s cherry blossoms signal the arrival of spring and symbolize hope, renewal, and friendship and that is especially important right now. We are thrilled we can bring the blossoms to people this year—even if people can’t get to see the cherry trees.”
While we all look forward to the day we can experience the blooms in person, we're thankful to get a fill of some of the world's most spectacular pink and white blooms while staying indoors.
