The annual Lantern Lighting Ceremony took place Sunday at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C.
Lighting the 355 year old stone lantern has been an annual highlight of the National Cherry Blossom Festival since 1954 when the Japanese Ambassador, Sadao Iguchi presented the lantern to the people of D.C. The presentation celebrated the 100th anniversary of the first peace treaty between Japan and the United States.
The ceremony featured traditional Japanese performers, Washington dignitaries, the Cherry Blossom Princesses and ABC 7's Joe Witte as the Master of Ceremonies.
"We are here because the cherry blossom is a wonderful tradition between the Japanese and the Americans. It is just a wonderful celebration," said Alexandria (web|news) resident John Magnuson.
Magnuson's daughter, however, has a different agenda at the event.
"Trying to catch some flowers," said three-year-old Elle.
"This event is the lighting and it signifies the week long activities taken place to commemorate this great event," said Mangnuson.
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