Cherry Blossom Festival Holding 'Petal Porches' Competition In DC, NoVA

DC/VIRGINIA — For the second year in a row, the National Cherry Blossom Festival is inviting residents of D.C. and Northern Virginia to decorate their porches, yards and windows to celebrate the 2022 Cherry Blossom Festival.

The celebration will include a neighborly competition for the most festive porches, and participants can compete in do-it- yourself design challenges with their friends and neighbors. Residents can use fabric, wood, paper, real or artificial flowers, and other materials for their decorations.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the creativity and ingenuity this year and encourage residents of all eight wards of Washington, D.C. and adjacent neighborhoods to join in this beautiful celebration of community and springtime,” Diana Mayhew, president and CEO of National Cherry Blossom Festival, said in a statement.

The festival runs from March 20 to April 17. Residents in D.C. and Virginia who want to participate in the competition, known as Petal Porches and sponsored by Amazon, can register online by March 15.

The celebration will end with a competition for Best Blossom Block, which will be awarded to a block of participating porches. Prime Petal Porches will be awarded to 10 porches in the D.C. area and the People's Petal Porch will be voted by Instagram poll and awarded to one porch in D.C. and one porch in Northern Virginia.

A digital map with the locations of all registered homes will also be made available so the community can plan a walk or drive around the neighborhoods to see and share in the celebration of spring.

"Amazon is honored to partner with the festival and help bring Petal Porches to life again this spring,” said Patrick Phillippi, senior manager of community engagement for Amazon.

The festival encourages participants to share their creations through their Facebook, Instagram, and other social media pages using the hashtags #Petalporches and #RediscoverSpring.

Residents who register online by March 15 to participate in the competition will receive a complimentary Petal Porches lawn sign while supplies last. Local businesses are also encouraged to join in the fun by signing up for the City in Bloom program by Feb. 16.

All winners will be announced on April 3. Follow the festival on social media and subscribe to its newsletter for the latest updates.

Displays must be appropriate for a family audience and should not focus on religious, political, ideological, or controversial themes or issues. Use of any political sign, social, or political material is not permitted, the festival said.

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