Out & About
Cherry Blossom fever hits D.C.
Paddle tour, food crawl, 5k and more among related events
![Cherry Blossoms, gay news, Washington Blade](https://www.washingtonblade.com/content/files/2018/03/Cherry_Blossoms_insert_by_Nicolas_Raymond_courtesy_Wikimedia_Commons.jpg)
(Photo by Nicolas Raymond; courtesy Wikimedia Commons)
The District celebrates Cherry Blossom season with numerous events throughout the city.
Capital SUP D.C. hosts a Cherry Blossom Paddle Tour on Saturday, March 31 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Paddlers can view the Cherry Blossoms from along the East Potomac Park. Attendees can rent a paddleboard, single kayak or pedalboard for $45 or a double kayak for $60. Bring your own board for $30. After the tour, the group will visit local brewery Bluejacket (300 Tingey St., S.E.) For more details, visit capitalsup.com.
Carpe D.C. hosts Taste of Spring Cherry Blossom Food Crawl, a self-guided food sample tour, on Saturday, March 31 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Guests will receive a passport that includes tastings for up to eight restaurants throughout downtown D.C. Tickets are $84. Vegetarian options are available. For more details, visit facebook.com/carpedcfood.
Cherry Blossom Wine and Beer is on Saturday, April 7 from 1-9 p.m. and Sunday, April 8 from 1-4 p.m. at the Akridge Lot at Buzzard Point (230 V St., S.W.). General admission tickets are $53.99 and include unlimited full pours of beer, cider and sangria, unlimited tastings of more than 100 wines, craft beers and ciders, access to food trucks and the local artisan market and live music. The Wine Lovers ticket is $96.41 and includes everything in general admission and four bottles of wine to take home. For more information, visit facebook.com/
The Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run and 5K Run-Walk is on Sunday, April 8 on the Washington Monument grounds (2 15th St., N.W.). The Elite Women’s Start kicks off at 7:18 a.m., the Ten Mile Start is at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K Run-Walk Start begins at 9 a.m. The Ten Mile entry fee is $45 and the 5K entry fee is $35. For more information, visit cherryblossom.org
Out & About
Celebrate July 4 with area fireworks displays
Festivities planned for National Mall, Baltimore, Rehoboth Beach
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The National Mall is the most popular place to watch the D.C. fireworks display; spread a blanket near the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, or the Lincoln Memorial. The 17-minute display starts at 9:09 p.m. and will be launched from both sides of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
In Baltimore, the Inner Harbor Fourth of July festivities will begin at 6 p.m. and the fireworks and drone show will begin at 9:30 p.m. downtown at the harbor.
The fireworks in Rehoboth Beach, Del., will be held on Saturday, July 6.
Out & About
Smithsonian Folklife Festival underway
‘Indigenous Voices of the Americas’ program held on the Mall
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The 2024 Smithsonian Folklife Festival takes place on the National Mall June 26–July 1, with the program “Indigenous Voices of the Americas: Celebrating the National Museum of the American Indian.”
Since 1967, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival has been held on the National Mall; events are free. Festival hours are 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m., with evening concerts Friday through Sunday from 5:30-7 p.m. For details on specific events, visit festival.si.edu/visit.
![](https://www.washingtonblade.com/content/files/2024/06/rainbow_Pride_flags_in_park_insert_by_Bigstock.jpg)
The 2024 Arlington Pride Festival will be held Saturday, June 29 at 12 p.m. at Long Bridge Park.
This event will be a gathering of the community showcasing local talent, food, and vibrant entertainment. The event will be a celebration of diversity and love.
Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
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