White Plains Gets Set to Celebrate Cherry Blossoms

It's Cherry Blossom time in White Plains.

To celebrate, the White Plains Recreation and Parks Department and The Japan Education Center are inviting the public a festival of Japanese culture and tradition on Sunday at the City of White Plains Annual Cherry Blossom Festival. 

This educational and entertaining event will appropriately take place among groves of Japanese cherry trees located at Turnure Park on Lake Street from noon to 5 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

The cherry tree and its blossoms, known as sakura, hold great significance for the Japanese people and are an important part of their rich history. In Japanese culture the cherry blossom represents the end of the winter season and the beginning of new life in spring as well as the ephemeral nature of all life.

They are a symbol of the cycle of life, death and rebirth. Viewing the cherry blossoms is an annual social and cultural event in Japan in which almost all citizens take part. White Plains is honored to be part of that tradition. 

The afternoon will include Japanese music, dance, song, storytelling, games and crafts. Japanese food and beverages will be available for sale.