Descanso Gardens welcomes springtime with its annual Cherry Blossom Festival on Saturday and Sunday, March 21 and 22. This celebration pays tribute to Japanese culture and the beautiful flowering trees in the Descanso landscape. Enjoy music, origami workshops, Japanese cuisine and guided garden walks. Activities are free with Descanso admission except where noted.
Here is the event schedule. Times are for both Saturday and Sunday:
• Cherry tree sale, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Beautiful flowering cherry trees will be available for purchase in the Gift Shop. Get there early — stock is limited and these tend to sell out quickly!
• Cherry blossom walk & talk, 10 a.m., noon & 2 p.m.: Take a guided walking tour of the many cherry trees in the Descanso Gardens landscape.
• Origami with Yami Yamauchi, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Learn the traditional art of paper folding from an origami master in these workshops in the Japanese Garden.
• Camellia Lounge, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Purchase special selections prepared by Patina, including teriyaki bowls.
• June Kuramoto performance, 1 – 2:30 p.m.: She will perform on the koto, the national instrument of Japan, in the Under the Oaks Theater.
Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. Admission is $9 for adults; $6 for seniors and students with a school I.D.; $4 for children 5 to 12, and free for members and children 4 and younger. For information, call (818) 949-4200 or visit www.descansogardens.org. Descanso Gardens is accredited by the American Association of Museums.
