Cherry Blossom Trees In Full Bloom For Its Centennial Celebration

WASHINGTON (WJZ)—Our warm weather is providing a boost to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.

Jessica Kartalija reports from the Tidal Basin, where the trees are in full bloom.

A lot of people planned to attend the festival next week, but because of the warm conditions, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom now through the end of the weekend. And people are coming from all over the country to see them.

In Washington, D.C., it's the perfect day for a picnic or even a spot of tea.

"We call it tea on the Tidal Basin. It's so much fun to pull out the fine china, silver and really do it up right," said Libby Hillenbrand, of West Virgina.

It's the 100th anniversary of the Japanese giving 3,000 cherry blossom trees to the United States as a symbol of the blooming friendship between the two countries.

"This also is a good reminder that people can say thank you in many ways," said Roxana Bardan, visitor.

"We're here to come see the cherry blossoms, have lunch and a couple of beverages," said another visitor.

The Cherry Blossom Festival typically runs two weeks. But they've extended it three more in honor of the centennial.

"This year's festival is going to tell the story about how this amazing gift has now become the nation's major springtime celebration," said Diana Mayhew, Cherry Blossom Festival.

It's also the first time visitors can take in the view from the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.

"It's beautiful. You can't get that kind of feel anywhere else," said a visitor.

Arborists say peak bloom is Wednesday through Saturday.