WASHINGTON (7News) — All things cherry blossoms continue this weekend as the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade takes over Constitution Avenue this Saturday.
Ahead of the parade, here’s what you need to know whether you’re joining the festivities or not.
The parade route will cover 10 blocks of Constitution Ave from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on April 11. It starts at the intersection of 7th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, then ends at Virginia and Constitution Avenue just past the Washington Monument.
Mickey Mouse, Mayor Muriel Bowser, and more join the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade (7News)
Additional road closures and parking restrictions will take place in the surrounding areas starting as early as 3:00 a.m.
The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking on Saturday from 3:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.:
- 7th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 9th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 10th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 12th Street from Madison Drive, NW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 14th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 15th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 17th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 18th Street from Constitution Avenue to E Street, NW
- 19th Street from Constitution Avenue to E Street, NW
- 20th Street from Virginia Avenue, NW to E Street, NW
- 20th Street from C Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW
- 21st Street from Constitution Avenue to E Street, NW
- 22nd Street from Constitution Avenue to C Street, NW
- C Street from 21st to Virginia Avenue, NW
- C Street from 19th to 17th Street, NW
- D Street from 18th to 17th Street, NW
- E Street from 20th to 17th Street, NW (eastbound lanes only)
- Virginia Avenue from 23rd Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
- Constitution Avenue from 23rd Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- Jefferson Drive from 15th to 3rd Street, NW
- Madison Drive from 15th to 3rd Street, SW
Starting at 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, these streets will be closed until 5:00 p.m.:
- 7th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
- 10th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue, NW
- 12th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue, NW (southbound lanes)
- Constitution Avenue from Pennsylvania Avenue to 14th Street, NW
The following streets will also be closed on Saturday, but only from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.:
- 9th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 12th Street from Madison Drive, NW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 14th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 15th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 17th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 18th Street from Constitution Avenue to E Street, NW
- 19th Street from Constitution Avenue to E Street, NW
- 20th Street from Virginia Avenue, NW to E Street, NW
- 20th Street from C Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW
- 21st Street from Constitution Avenue to E Street, NW
- 22nd Street from Constitution Avenue to C Street, NW
- C Street from 21st to Virginia Avenue, NW
- C Street from 19th to 17th Street, NW
- D Street from 18th to 17th Street, NW
- Eastbound lanes on E Street from 20th to 17th Street, NW
- Virginia Avenue from 23rd Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
- Constitution Avenue from 23rd Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- Jefferson Drive from 15th to 3rd Street, NW
- Madison Drive from 15th to 3rd Street, SW
- Virginia Avenue from 24th Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
- SE/SW Freeway-Access to 12th Street Tunnel from I-395 ramps
- Inbound I-395 to 14th Street Bridge & 14th Street Bridge (HOV) — All traffic will be sent eastbound on I-395 SE/SW Freeway
This year’s parade will feature over 80 groups with a variety of helium balloons, festive floats and performances up and down the parade route. Among the performers at the parade will be Cyniah Elise and the cast of The Wiz from Broadway, former Miss America Betty Maxwell and former America’s Got Talent contestant Sarah Potenza.
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Mickey Mouse, Mayor Muriel Bowser, and more join the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade (7News)
Those who can’t join in person can watch live on TV or online.
Tune into 7News and 24/7 News WJLA from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to catch the parade live on TV. Stream the parade on the 7News app, WJLA.com or on YouTube for live coverage and behind-the-scenes updates.
Adrianna Hopkins and Adam Longo of 7News will be hosting alongside ABC World News Now’s Hannah Battah and Sophie Flay.
7News‘ Megan Clarke will be teaming up with TV personality Carson Kressley to bring viewers all of the action from the street.
Announcing the parade will be Toby and Chilli of WASH-FM.
Tickets are available for purchase for special seating. Spectators can also attend the parade for free by standing along the street.
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