The National Cherry Blossom Festival Opening Ceremony: Kick-off the 2014 National Cherry Blossom Festival with world-class renowned entertainment as we welcome springtime to Washington, DC and celebrate the anniversary of the gift of trees from Japan to the United States. Enjoy spirited traditional and contemporary performances by the Howard University Step Team, Takaoki Onishi with Dimitri Dover, Kaori Kobayashi with the Mao Sone Quartet, Anna Saeki, Rimi Natsukawa and Judith Hill.