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Cherry Blossom Festival 2013: D.C.'s 'Peak Blossom' Expected Between March 26-30

It's Almost Cherry Blossom Season!
By 

Associate editor, HuffPost DC

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Jefferson Memorial is seen trough cherry blossom trees adjacent to the Tidal Basin on the National Mall in Washington, DC, on March 17, 2012. The iconic trees are beginning to bloom, with the National Park Service forecasting peak bloom between March 20 and 23, one of the earliest years on record due to warmer than average temperatures. AFP PHOTO/MLADEN ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON -- D.C. is about to look very pink. Beginning March 20 and running through April 14, the National Cherry Blossom Festival will celebrate the friendship between America and Japan with the blooming of approximately 3,750 trees.

Beginning March 20 with the Pink Tie Party and culminating in the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on April 13, the 101st annual celebration will also feature over 150 daily cultural performances by local, national and international entertainers, sports competitions and more. A full list of events can be found on the National Cherry Blossom Festival website.

Monday morning the National Park Service announced this year's "peak blossom" prediction via Twitter -- and, great news, the dates coincide with the festival.

More than a million people are expected to visit Washington over the four weeks of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

For those that are uncomfortable in large crowds, there are some other scenic tress in the D.C. suburbs.

Cherry Blossoms
Spring At The MLK Jr. Memorial(01 of09)
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German exchange students Alena Stasen, right, Clara Herrmann, center, and Rose Modersohn, take souvenir pictures under cherry blossom trees at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial. (credit:AP)
Relaxing Under The Trees(02 of09)
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Enjoying beautiful weather under the fragrant shade of blooming cherry trees. (credit:Getty)
Scott Circle(03 of09)
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The Winfield Scott statue is just visible through the cherry blossom trees in Scott Circle. (credit:Getty)
Photographing The Jefferson Memorial(04 of09)
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A person takes a picture of the Jefferson Memorial behind cherry blossoms, which have come into full bloom due to the early warm weather along the East Coast. (credit:Getty)
The Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC(05 of09)
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In the distance, the Jefferson Memorial can be seen through the delicate pick blossoms in the foreground. (credit:Getty)
Framing The Washington Memorial (06 of09)
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The Washington Monument in Washington, DC can be seen as a back drop to the Cherry blossoms in full bloom. (credit:Getty)
Sunset At The Tidal Basin(07 of09)
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The sun sets behind cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin, which have come into full bloom due to the early warm weather along the East Coast. (credit:Getty)
Sunset At The Tidal Basin(08 of09)
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The sun sets behind cherry blossoms, which have come into full bloom due to the early warm weather along the East Coast. (credit:Getty)
At The Capitol(09 of09)
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A dogwood tree is in full bloom in front of the U.S. Capitol. (credit:Getty)

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