The Tidal Basin was flooded Saturday by tourists rushing to see the pale pink flowers of D.C.'s 6,800 cherry trees, and AU students were among those who came to see the blossoms.
The two-week Cherry Blossom Festival, which began in 1935, attracts about 700,000 people annually, according to the festival's Web site. The Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the gift of 3,000 trees from the mayor of Tokyo to the city of Washington as a sign of friendship in 1912, according to the Web site.
The weather was perfect for enjoying cherry blossoms Saturday, according to Maggie Hall, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. She and her friends walked around the tidal basin for several hours. "Everyone looked like they were having a good time," she said.
At midday, people gathered on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial to rest and enjoy live entertainment. Different groups perform each day of the festival, ranging from modern bands to traditional Japanese dance.
"I think it's a good to have entertainment for tourists to see some local musicians and performance of traditional Japanese culture," said Ru Sha, a freshman in the School of Communication. "It makes the event more educational and even more enjoyable."
At each event, goodwill ambassadors were on hand to greet visitors, give information and facilitate the exchange of Japanese and American culture.
"We're the face of the festival," said Yuri Arthur, a goodwill ambassador who works at the Japanese embassy.
The seven ambassadors are young adults who were chosen for their interest in Japanese and American culture and knowledge of the Japanese language, said Arthur. She said that the ambassadors participate in everything from freedom walks to fashion shows.
Saturday evening ended with a fireworks display over the southwest waterfront.
"Fireworks are overrated, but it's fun to get together with friends," said Kate Matthews, a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Tourists coming to see the blossoms crowded the Metro over the weekend, creating long lines to buy tickets and get on the trains.
"There were a lot of tourists who didn't know what they were doing," said Tom Reedman, a freshman in the Kogod School of Business. Reedman said they slowed the process and drove frequent Metro riders crazy.
Hall said she walked from the Smithsonian Metro to Farragut North to avoid Metro lines.
Next Saturday at 10 a.m., marching bands, dancers and other entertainers such as singers Martha Wash and Anthony Fedorov will perform in a parade along Constitution Avenue. The festival ends April 9.
