It may not look or feel like it, but spring really is in the air. Sure the calender’s moved past winter, but a more tell-tale sign is that cherry blossom fever has hit the city.

The opening ceremony of the 93rd Annual National Cherry Blossom Festival, held at the new Mandarin Oriental hotel this past Saturday served as a good reminder that despite the dreary rain and decidedly un-spring like temps, some color is indeed in our future.

The event featured remarks by D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Mayor Anthony Williams (see picture top right) and Ambassador Ryozo Kato of Japan as well as traditional kabuki performances. Naturally, our favorite part of the ceremony was the tapping of the sake barrel.