Lantern Lighting Ceremony
Every year a 350-year-old stone lantern is lit in the Thomas Jefferson Tidal Basin. This formal ceremony commemorates the 1912 gift to Washington D.C. of 3000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to enhance the growing friendship between the United States and Japan. The event includes traditional Japanese performers, Washington dignitaries and the 70 Cherry Blossom princesses representing states, territories, and embassies. The lighting ceremony is held at the site of the first two cherry trees planted by Mrs. William Howard Taft and Viscountess Chinda in 1912. The Lantern ceremony is don't miss! Special thanks to Mark Rhoads of the National Conference of State Societies for his help with this gallery.
Location : Tidal Basin at Independence Ave. and 17 th St., SW.
|
National Anthem
2949 views
|
Chaplain for the U.S. House of Representatives Rev. Daniel P. Coughlin gives the openning prayer.
3023 views
|
National Cherry Blossom Princesses bow their heads during the openning prayer.
3060 views
|
|
National Park Service Deputy Director for the Mall and Monuments Steve Lorenzetti addresses the audience.
3573 views
|
Mrs. Kyoko Okamoto Sansei
3093 views
|
NCBF Goodwill Ambassador Lauren Bennett addresses the audience.
2988 views
|
|
Chief Three Feathers Kazemi Windsong band of the Cherokee Nation.
4349 views
|
Mayor Anthony Williams
2974 views
|
Mayor Williams shares a joke with the Ambassador and Congressman.
3077 views
|
|
Mayor Williams
3033 views
|
2005-2006 Queen Teresa Sablan from Guam
3170 views
|
Florida Cherry Blossom Princess, Rhea Chiles
3211 views
|
|
Guam Cherry Blossom Princess - Julie Schwab
4481 views
|
Maryland Cherry Blossom Princess -Kimberly Boukal
3729 views
|
Ambassador Ryozo Kato Addresses the audience.
3036 views
|