2014 NCSS Cherry Blossom Festival Events

2:30 p.m. 
Tidal Basin near the “T” intersection of 17th Street and Independence Avenue, NW, at the west end of Kutz Bridge
The concert and ceremony are free and open to the public

In additional to celebrating the 66th Anniversary of the Education and Cultural Exchange Princess Program, lighting the historic Japanese Stone Lantern on the shore of the Tidal Basin has been a highlight of the National Cherry Blossom Festival® since 1954. The concert and ceremony are free and open to the public. The event is put on by the National Conference of State Societies, in conjunction with the National Park Service National Capital Region. Traditional prelude music will be performed on Japanese string instruments by the Toho Koto Society of Washington, DC. Songs will be performed by the Washington Japanese Choral Society and an ROTC Cadet unit will present the colors.

The United States and Japan Cherry Blossom Queens, along with the 2014 State, Territory, and International Cherry Blossom Princesses will be introduced for the first time. Press coverage of this event will be provided by the National and Japanese press for both the newspapers and television. In 1954, the lantern was moved from Japan and presented to Washington, DC, as a gift commemorating the 100th anniversary of America's first treaty with Japan, which was negotiated by Commodore Matthew Perry of the United States Navy in 1854. Since 1954, the lantern is only lit once a year during the NCSS sponsored events of the National Cherry Blossom Festival® by the Cherry Blossom Princess representing the Embassy of Japan.

The nearest Metrorail stop is at the Smithsonian station three blocks east of the site.

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
345 Cannon House Office Building (Cannon Caucus Room)
Washington, D.C.
Reservations required - at this time we are no longer taking any additional reservations, due to space capacity limits.

An annual event since the 1950s, this reception draws numerous members of Congress and foreign diplomats, who will escort Cherry Blossom Princesses from their respective state, territory, or embassy. The Honorable Lisa Murkowski and the Honorable Shelley Moore-Capito are the Honorary Chairs of the Reception and Ambassador and Mrs. Kenichiro Sasae have been invited to attend this historical event for the 66th Anniversary of our Education and Cultural Exchange Princess Program. The colors will be presented by an George Mason University U.S. Army ROTC Color Guard from the area.  Sushi from the Washington, DC Sushi Association and Sapporo Beer will be among the appetizers and beverages served this evening.

The nearest Metrorail stop is at the Capitol South station just across the street from the Cannon House Office Building.

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Renaissance Washington, D.C. Hotel
999 9th Street, NW
Washington D.C., 20001
Reserved seating: $60.00/adults;  $25.00/children under 12; Under 2 Free

Join the U.S. and Japan Cherry Blossom Queens, along with all the State, Territory, and International Cherry Blossom Princesses for a wonderful luncheon and  keynote speaker address by one of the District's leading ladies.  Come and enjoy a talk about her career, journey and one of her most rewarding activities.  The students from the Japanese immersion program at Fox Mill Elementary School in Fairfax County, Virginia, will be providing us with lovely table decorations that will be displayed on each table during the event. Fellowship and festival spirit fuse together in this lively and lovely spring luncheon.

Valet Parking is available on the premises, along with garage parking or lot parking across the street.

6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Ft. Myer Officers Club - Koran Ballroom Room (for parking directions, click here)
214 Jackson Avenue
Ft. Myer, Virginia  22211
Reservations required: $25/adults AND children, Under 2 FREE ($30 per adult AND child thru PayPal)

Join the U.S. and Japan Cherry Blossom Queens, along with all the Cherry Blossom Princesses, for an evening featuring heavy hors d' oeuvers at a multitude of stations featuring food and beverages from every region of the United States. Club Manager, Marco Rosa, is a former White House Executive Chef from two different Administrations and has prepared a menu that will entice everyone's taste buds.  

Purpose:  To allow all Princesses from the Societies an opportunity to interact at one venue for the coronations thus eliminating the expense for individual societies to have to plan an execute events for their princesses at individual venues.  To provide Princesses from small or non-existent Societies to still have a celebration.  It also allows the Alumnae who are in town for the 66^th Anniversary of the Princess Program a chance to visit with both 2014 Princesses and their friends from their Princess years. 

Concept:  There will be food stations (heavy hors d’oeuvres) and car bars in multiple locations throughout the room featuring foods/drinks from every Region of the United States.  Labels on food/drink items identifying the origins will be available. Societies will be provided individual space to display banners, flags, brochures, etc and will be positioned all around the walls of the ballroom near the food areas for their region to discuss highlights from those states/territories. These will be covered 5” tables scattered around the entire perimeter of the room. Each society/territory/embassy will receive their own table (no doubling up).  Click here to download the Taste of the States Request Form for table space AND a coronation opportunity.  There will be a microphone and podium so guests can be welcomed and encouraged to join their societies, sign up for activities, etc.  As each Princess self-introduces themselves, Society Presidents will be given a coronation opportunity to provide gifts, crowns, plagues, etc. to their princess. NOTE: A society can choose to purchase a block of tickets with a corporate donation and distribute them as they see fit to their members.

Food and Beverages:  The Officer's Club will be providing the main entrees at the food stations.  Societies are being asked to donate desserts/beverages that represent their state. (NOTE: this attracts corporate supports). For example, the California donated nuts, Florida donated cuttie oranges, The U.S. Virgin Islands donated a variety of desserts, Illinois donated Oreos, Maryland donated a Cherry Blossom cake, Pensylvannia donated Hershey’s chocolate, New Jersey donated Pepperidge Farm rolls, and there were many, many more. We will acknowledge all of the food and beverage donations for the guests.  Societies are encouraged to create a special dessert with Cherry Blossom theme.  Parking is available on the premises in the neighboring lots.

If you are an vendor and would like to participate in the event as well (or in the Princess Orientation of Sunday, April 6, 2014), click here to download the Exhibitor Application for acceptance.

6:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Renaissance Washington, D.C. Hotel
999 9th Street, NW
Washington D.C., 20001
Reserved seating: $175.00/adults; $75.00/children under 12; Under 2 FREE

Official Coronation of the 2014 United States Cherry Blossom Queen & Cherry Blossom Grand Ball, along with a Sushi Reception will be held at the Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel, 999 9th Street, NW. The evening begins with the sushi reception, where guests will enjoy complementary Sapporo Beer and Sake from Yaegaki Sake & Spirits, Inc., while sampling sushi created by the master Sushi Chefs of Japan. Each chef has extraordinary artful skills and will create a specialty for the guests.

The ballroom doors will open, inviting guests to their tables for dinner with the Princesses, guests from Japan, and other dignitaries. Following dinner, the Princesses will be formally introduced during the Grand March by our Mistress of Ceremonies, Jacqui Geras, ABC7/WJLA, preparing them for the much anticipated crowning. One Princess will become the 2014 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen with the ceremonial crowning of the spectacular Mikimoto Crown, a priceless Japanese work of art.  A gift from Mikimoto Co. Ltd., a smaller replica Crown and strand of Mikimoto pearls are presented to the 2014 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen as a special keepsake. 

The evening rounds out with our guests dancing to the sounds of Big Band Caliente, as well as a DJ later in the evening with all the top-40 hits.

Valet Parking is available on the premises, along with garage parking or lot parking across the street.

10:30 p.m. – 2:00 a.m
Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel
999 9th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Admission required: $40.00 per adult ($45 per adult thru PayPal)

NOTE: - GRAND BALL TICKETS INCLUDE ADMISSION TO THE AFTER PARTY EVENT

The new 2014 United States Cherry Blossom Queen has been chosen and now it is time to kick-up your heels and have a great time dancing the night away!! Join all of the Cherry Blossom Princesses from their respective state, territory, or embassy, along with the Cherry Blossom Queens for an evening of dancing and festivities!!

There will be complementary Mu Sake and Sapporo Beer, along with a Cherry Blossom Signature drink and late night appetizers. A cash bar will also be available if you would prefer a different type of beverage. You will dance to the Top 40 hits and at the same time get to know some amazing accomplished young professionals like yourselves. Dress is business attire or cocktail, no jeans allowed.

Valet Parking is available on the premises, along with garage parking or lot parking across the street.

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Renaissance Washington, D.C. Hotel
999 9th Street, NW
Washington D.C., 20001

Open to All Cherry Blossom Princess Alumnae AND anyone who purchased a ticket to any NCSS event during the week (to confirm your reservation for the Closing Reception, click here)

Presented by Pi Alpha Kappa Sorority – “The Journey Continues”
After spending a week getting to know these fine, talented, young women, we gather together one final time to hear their highs of the week, reflections of the lives touched, and to participate in their introduction to the Cherry Blossom Princess Pi Alpha Kappa Sorority, a lifelong friendship bond of more than 3,000 women that continues the commitment to quality character, selfless service, and love of people.

A special “pinning” ceremony will take place for our 2014 Cherry Blossom Princesses.

Valet Parking is available on the premises, along with garage parking or lot parking across the street.