Photo Credit: Fred Morledge - PhotoFM.com
Let’s be honest—there are enough Fall Festivals and Harvest Festivals across the country. Are you ready to shake it up a bit? Pick a theme—the more unusual the better—and plan a whole festival or event around it. Having trouble thinking of one? Here are some ideas that are already attracting big crowds:
Cherry Blossom Festival—Virginia Beach, Va.
Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation celebrated its 10^(th) annual Cherry Blossom Festival in March at Red Wing Park. In partnership with Virginia Beach’s Sister City, Miyazaki, Japan, the festival is a celebration of spring, peace, and goodwill during the blossom season. Featuring the rich culture and beauty of traditional Japanese music, arts, and creative activities, the festival is modeled after the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. The city and Miyazaki City, Japan, have each benefitted from many generous exchanges since the early 1980s. In 2005, the 150+ Yoshino Cherry Blossom trees were all donated to Red Wing Park as part of the Miyazaki Garden expansion plan, and the trees were planted by the Japan Educational Cultural Center and the Miyazaki Sister City Committee in 2005. Admission to the festival is free, and patrons are encouraged to bring a blankets and lawn chairs to sit down under the beautiful blossoming cherry trees and delight in the artistic performances. More information can be found on www.vbgov.com/parks and visitors are encouraged to follow the festival on social media at #VBCherryBlossom.