One of the Lower Mainland’s most beautiful signs of spring is the arrival of cherry blossoms. To welcome spring to Richmond, the City of Richmond will hold their third annual Cherry Blossom Festival at Garry Point Park.

In Japan, cherry blossoms are known as sakura, which are a special flower to the people and the country. The cherry blossom signifies a time of renewal and the cycle of life. Two weeks after the peak of the cherry blossom’s bloom, the petals begin to fall. The cherry blossom celebration includes picnics under the cherry trees with food and drinks shared with friends and family—this is a tradition known as hanami which translates to “watching blossoms,” and can be traced back hundreds of years.

The Richmond Cherry Blossom Festival is set amongst 255 Akebono cherry blossom trees at Garry Point Park, on the mouth of the Fraser River.

The festival will feature a day of traditional Japanese music and dance performances, delicious food options and fun activities as celebrated in Japan.