History of the Cherry Blossom Festival
The Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival began in 1998 and initially focused on the tree planting efforts of the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia. Echoing a sesquicentennial gift of 1,600 flowering trees made by Japan to Philadelphia in 1926, JASGP pledged to plant 1,000 cherry trees in Fairmount Park. This goal was accomplished in 2007, and the mission has been expanded to plant cherry trees in community parks throughout the region. As the number of sakura (flowering Japanese cherry trees) increased, so too did Philadelphians’ interest in Japan. The Festival expanded to include an array of activities. What began as a single day ceremony is now a collection of more than 50 events over 4 weeks. Over the last 6 years Festival attendance has reached tens of thousands annually and along with the Philadelphia Flower Show has become synonymous with spring’s return to the region.
About Cherry Blososm Trees
While the majority of cherry blossom trees (sakura) are one of two common varieties, there are actually over 100 ornamental cherry tree species, each with different characteristics of hardiness, form, size, habit, blossom color and blooming periods. Blossom colors can be deep pink to white with any number of single or double petals ranging in size from 3/4 inch to 1 1/2 inches. Cherry bark and branches are also admired for their glossy beauty during the winter. Some species add to fall's foliage display with a spectacular show of leaf color, and at least one species even blossoms in the autumn. Due to the large north-south geographic stretch of Japan, cherry blossoms bloom between January and late May, earlier in the south than in the north. The variable spring weather in Japan and the national interest in the delicate blossoms has led to the inclusion of sakura-zensen, or the cherry blossom blooming line, into news weather forecasts. These forecasts help with the planning of o-hanami, or flower viewing, a popular and centuries-old spring tradition that includes picnicking, singing and perhaps sipping sake under cherry trees in full bloom.
