Cherry Blossom Festival: Petalpoolaza, Fireworks At The Wharf

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Cherry blossom celebrations are in full swing, and new to the agenda this year is Petalpalooza, debuting at the Wharf this Saturday.

Formerly the Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival, Petalpalooza will include games and activities, a Pop-Up Puppy Parklet, a roller rink, a beer garden, a fireworks show and more.

All are encouraged to release their inner artist with bike spin art, Japanese calligraphy, Gyotaku fish prints, plein air artists, and more. Plus, enjoy a "Flower by Number" interactive visual art installation featuring DC-based artist Kellie Cox.

The drinks will flow from free samples of LaCroix to beer in the Samual Adams Beer Garden.

Attendees can enjoy more than eight hours of live music on three waterfront stages, including the DC Lottery Main Stage, a floating “202 Stage” showcasing DC’s homegrown talent, and an Acoustic Lounge.

See Related: Cherry Blossom Guide 2018: Peak Bloom, Events, More

This free event will take place from 1-9:30 p.m. at 1100 Maine Ave. SW. The fireworks will go off at 8:30 p.m., weather permitting.

The fireworks display can be viewed from all locations within the event, with the best views being on District and Transit Piers and Wharf Street. The fireworks may also be viewed from East Potomac Park, directly across from the Wharf.

Petalpalooza is easily accessible by Metrobus and Metro’s Orange, Blue, Yellow and Green lines to L’Enfant Plaza or on the Green line to Waterfront Station. Attendees are strongly encouraged to take public transportation to the Waterfront area.

There is no public event parking on Water Street, SW. Guests are asked to please utilize area parking lots on 4th Street, SW and by L’Enfant Plaza.

Also coming up is one of DC's most anticipated events of the festival—and the year. The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. April 14 at Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Streets NW.

Spectators will be dazzled by giant colorful helium balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands from across the country, celebrity entertainers, and performers in the 10-block parade along Constitution Avenue.

This year's Grand Marshal is Carla Hall from ABC's "The Chew." Other celebrity performers are hip-hop group Arrested Development, pop/classical string quartet Well Strung, "The Voice" season 11 contestant Billy Gilman, "The Voice" season eight contestant Sarah Potenza, country singer Ty Herndon and extreme pogo stunt team XPOGO. More performers will be announced throughout March.

See our full event guide here.

>> Are you going to Petalpalooza? Send your photos to Cameron.Luttrell@Patch.com to be featured on the Washington, D.C. Patch!

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Photo via National Cherry Blossom Festival