Viewfinder: The National Cherry Blossom Festival

When you look around town, what do you see?

Every week, we'll highlight people, places and events around Vienna in this spot.

This week, we captured some Cherry Blossoms in the spirit of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, officially in full swing through April 10.

Parking will be limited during the peak flowering period. Driving directions, biking and walking directions and Metro directions are available online.

If You Go From Vienna: There's no track work scheduled from Vienna so it should be smooth sailing. However, "The Metrorail will open two hours early, at 5 a.m., on Sunday, April 3, for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Run and 5K Run-Walk. The race begins at 7:40 a.m., and will start and finish at 15th St. and Jefferson Drive S.W.," according to WMATA.  Your best bet is to go Saturday, or, to wait until Sunday afternoon after the race is over.

According to the festival's website, "Each year, the National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington, DC. The gift and annual celebration honor the lasting friendship between the United States and Japan and the continued close relationship between the two countries."

The festival has assumed special meaning this year in light of the recent earthquake and tsunami that has claimed tens of thousands of Japanese lives.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival and the American Red Cross are accepting donations through their website.

Do you have pictures of Cherry Blossoms arond Vienna? Upload them to this article, or e-mail them to erica.hendry at patch.com