Petal Porches Project Invites Residents To Decorate For Spring, Earn Awards

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Marylanders are invited to decorate their porches, yards and windows from March 20 to April 17 as part of the Petal Porches initiative hosted by the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

New this year, the festival will host an opt-in neighborly competition for the most festive Petal Porches and participants can compete in friendly do-it-yourself design challenges with neighbors. Residents can use fabric, wood, paper, real or artificial flowers, and any number of other materials for their decorations, organizers say.

“For the second year in a row, the festival will once again start at your doorstep. 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.

Additionally, the celebration will culminate with a competition for Best Blossom Block, awarded to a block of participating porches, Prime Petal Porches, awarded to 10 porches in the DMV, and the People's Petal Porch, voted by Instagram poll and awarded to one porch. 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.

Local businesses also are encouraged to join in the fun by signing up for the City in Bloom program by Feb. 16.

To participate, register online here.