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D.C.'s Cherry Blossom Festival Opens With Family Day

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The National Cherry Blossom Festival is opening with a day of children's activities and art demonstrations at the National Building Museum in Washington.

A family festival began Saturday at 10 a.m. at the museum. An opening ceremony for the cherry blossom festival is scheduled for 4 p.m. with Mayor Vincent Gray, Japanese Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki and musical performances.

A kite festival planned for Sunday on the Washington Monument grounds is being postponed due to the forecast for snowy weather.

The festival runs through April 10. Experts from the National Park Service have predicted the peak bloom period for the cherry blossoms will be Tuesday through Friday.

Organizers have created a new app for iPhones and Android phones this year with a guide to the festival.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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