Don't forget to enjoy the cherry trees... bring a picnic, blanket, and a group of family and friends on your own Cherry Blossom Walk.
***Cherry Blossom Festival Events are scheduled to be held rain or shine.
However, if weather conditions are too severe, events will be canceled. If you have a last-minute question about whether an event is being held, please call the Visitors Bureau at 610-375-4085 or listen to WEEU Radio 830 AM.
Saturday, April 26th:
"China Blue."
Showing of film at the GoggleWorks Theatre, 2nd and Washington streets, Reading. Noon to 2 p.m.
A presentation by Bullfrog Films, Oley. Cost: $5.
Sunday, April 27th:
Gather at the River Day
Kerper's Landing on the Schuylkill River along Riverfront Drive, Reading.
Noon to 4 p.m.
Featuring music by several local churches.
Events being held rain or shine.
Schuylkill River Dragon Boat Flotilla
Come see the mighty Dragon Boats on display in the river between the Penn Street Bridge and Kerper's Landing from Noon to 1:45 p.m. Calling all paddlers, whatever floats your boat! Be a part of the Cherry Blossom Dragon Boat Flotilla. Join us at Felix Dam at 10:30 a.m. for a "paddle down the river" to meet the Dragon Boats at Kerper's Landing.
"The Emperor's Nightingale"
Free performance by Community Players.
1 p.m. Riverfront Park, Reading.
Refreshments following the play.
Go Fly a Kite! Day -- Kites of the Orient
Youth Recreation Facility, Bern Township. Across from the Berks Vocational Technical School on Prison Road.
Join with veteran kite maker Carl Leisey of Wernersville in flying kites and learning how to make them. Kids can make a free Sled Kite in the Kite Workshop from noon to 4:30 p.m.
Amateur and professional kiters welcome to show off their skills.
Children's activity area with an inflatable ride, clowns, pony rides, and face painting.
Demonstrations throughout the day, in the air and on the ground by the Sky Pilots Kite Club. Mass Ascensions to be announced. Candy Drops from a kite throughout the day on the Demo/Competition Field, weather permitting.
Presented by the Berks County Parks and Recreation Department and the Sky Pilots Kite Club.
Noon to 5 p.m.
"Birds of Prey" shows by the Red Creek Wildlife Center at 12:30, 1:30, and 2:30.
Call 610-374-2944 for information.
Free admission. Refreshments available.
"China Blue."
Showing of film at the GoggleWorks Theatre, 2nd and Washington streets, Reading. Noon to 2 p.m.
A presentation by Bullfrog Films, Oley. Cost: $5.
Other events (please check back for locations and details):
Cherry Tree Plantings--Click here to sponsor a tree!
Dancing Dragon appearances at various locations
Ongoing and recurring events, April 12th - 27th
Dragon Boat Flotillas on the Schuylkill River
Come to the Riverfront to see the amazing flotilla of canoes, kayaks, and dragon boats every Sunday during the festival from noon to 12:30 p.m. Numerous great free viewing points including the Buttonwood and Penn Street Bridges, West Reading’s Bertolet fishing pier, Confluence Point Park, and Reading’s Riverfront Park. Bring the family and enjoy an afternoon on the river, complete with food and entertainment at the landing site, Reading’s Riverfront Park. Dragon boat concept designed by Artist Alvin Booth.
Click here to visit the Dragon Boat page
Cherry Blossom Walk along the Schuylkill
See over 100 Okame and Kwanzan flowering cherry trees in spectacular bloom. Daily, free event for duration of festival. Walk along the Schuylkill River between the Penn Street and Bingaman Street bridges. RiverPlace will also be planting trees. Sponsor your own cherry tree in memory of a loved one or special event. Call 610-736-3900 for details.
Dragon Kite Kits for sale in GoggleWorks Store
GoggleWorks Exhibits and Demonstrations
Ginza Shopping Arcade
Daily during the festival. Various merchants participating along Penn Avenue in West Reading.
Contact Deborah Hutcheson 610-372-6468.
Children's Activities
Many more county-wide events
Background and Points of Interest
About the Cherry Blossom Festival
The Cherry Blossom Festival has its roots in feudal Japan when the village would gather to watch the prognostications of the local temple priests. They would observe the size, shape and every detail of the current spring's blossoms to foretell the fortunes of that year's rice crop. The blossoms were also an indicator of when to flood the rice fields and when to plant. In a country that lived and died depending on the success of the rice harvest, this was a very important occasion. It was a time of family togetherness, notation of the end of a long winter and the celebration of the season of rebirth, hope and promise.
About the Dragon Boats
The dragon boat has its origins in ancient fertility rites, as the dragon is the most powerful of symbols and ruler of water in all its forms--rivers, lakes, clouds and life-giving rains. The races are more specifically held to honor the memory of Qu Yuan, 340-278 BC, a Chinese poet and patriot in the ancient kingdom of Chu. He championed political reform and truth as guiding principles in life and was banished by a corrupt king for his outspoken views. He then wandered the countryside writing poetry about his concern and love for his country, becoming widely known and much beloved by the people of feudal China.
Other Cherry Blossom Festivals
Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia
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