DC Cherry Blossom closures

Washington shut down stretches of Constitution Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue and nearby cross streets on Saturday, April 11, for two of its biggest cherry blossom weekend events. (wtop.com) The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade ran Saturday along Constitution Avenue, with the step-off scheduled for 11:00 a.m. and the route stretching 10 blocks from 7th Street to 17th Street Northwest. (nationalcherryblossomfestival.org) The Metropolitan Police Department said parade-related emergency no-parking rules and street closures started as early as 3:00 a.m. and lasted until about 5:00 p.m. on streets including 7th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 15th and 17th Streets Northwest. (mpdc.dc.gov) A second event, the 64th Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival, ran on Saturday, April 11, and Sunday, April 12, on Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest between 3rd and 7th Streets. (mpdc.dc.gov) For Sakura Matsuri, police said Pennsylvania Avenue from 3rd Street to 7th Street Northwest and Constitution Avenue from 3rd Street to 7th Street Northwest were posted as emergency no parking and closed from 7:00 p.m. Friday until 11:59 p.m. Sunday. (mpdc.dc.gov) Police also warned that Pennsylvania Avenue from 7th Street to 9th Street Northwest and 7th Street from D Street to Constitution Avenue could close intermittently from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on both festival days. (mpdc.dc.gov) The street festival is organized by the Japan-America Society of Washington DC, and organizers describe it as the largest celebration of Japanese culture in the United States. (sakuramatsuri.org) The parade and Sakura Matsuri are both part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington’s annual spring tourism draw built around the city’s peak bloom season and weeks of public events. (nationalcherryblossomfestival.org) The practical advice from city officials was simple: expect delays, watch posted no-parking signs, and do not leave a car in a restricted zone if you want to avoid a ticket and tow. (mpdc.dc.gov)