The National Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled for April 7-14, 2012.

Please help us to congratulate CSS’s 2012 Cherry Blossom Princess, Melissa Medina.

2012 CA Cherry Blossom Princess

Melissa Medina is California’s 2012 Cherry Blossom Princess. Melissa attended high school in Burbank and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 2011.

Currently, Melissa is living in Washington, D.C. and working for Congressman Ed Royce.  Melissa was nominated by Congressman Royce.

As California’s Cherry Blossom Princess, Melissa will represent California in a week’s worth of events, including the Grand Ball and the Cherry Blossom Princess Parade.

History of the Cherry Blossom Festival

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a spring celebration in Washington, D.C., commemorating the March 27, 1912, gift of Japanese cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington. Mayor Ozaki donated the trees in an effort to enhance the growing friendship between the United States and Japan and also celebrate the continued close relationship between the two nations.

Entrance & Tickets

2012 Centennial Cherry Blossom Events

A Once In A Lifetime Celebration
In 1912, an incredible gift of 3,000 cherry blossom trees was bestowed on
Washington, DC by Tokyo, Japan.
Rooted strongly and surviving outside elements,
the trees have withstood the test of time – and nearly a century later,
the National Cherry Blossom Festival is preparing for an unprecedented and once-in-a-lifetime celebration.”

CSS members have an opportunity to be a part of this special celebration

 CSS members Only: 
Win two tickets to the Cherry Blossom Ball by entering the CSS raffle. 
To enter the raffle, email your name, contact telephone number
and email address (if different from the transmittal email address)
to: info@californiastatesociety.com.

In the subject line indicate:  Cherry Blossom Ball Raffle for Two Tickets.
All entries must be submitted via email by midnight, April 2, 2012.
The winner will be notified on Friday, April 6, 2012.

Cherry Blossom Festival Activities: 
A note for all those purchasing reservations for the events:
To purchase a reservation to any one of the events listed below,
please click:  http://www.statesocieties.org/Events/Tickets.aspx and it will take you directly to the NCSS PalPal site for purchases.
If you would prefer to make a reservation, using a check or money order for payment, click here to download the Event Form.
All events listed are “ticketless” – all reservations will be held at the door for each event – no tickets will be mailed.
For those sending in multiple reservations, the individual’s name for each reservation will be required, in order to obtain admittance.
NO REFUNDS will be issued after April 1, 2012.
For information on the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade or the Sakura Matsuri Street Festival,
taking place on Saturday, April 14, go to: http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/category/events/signature/

Thursday, March 29
California State Society and the University of California DC Center
Cherry Blossom Happy Hour
6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Red Line
707 G Street, NW
Free for CSS members

Saturday, April 7
Tea with the Cherry Blossom Queens and Princesses
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Renaissance Washington, D.C. Hotel
999 9th Street, NW;
Washington D.C., 20001
Reserved seating: $35.00 adults; $25.00 children under 12; Under 2 Free

Saturday, April 7
NCSS Cherry Blossom Opening Reception
7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
20F Street Conference Center
Washington, DC
Reserved seating: $50.00 adults; $25.00 children under 12; Under 2 FREE.

Tuesday, April 10
Taste of the States
6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Ft. Myer Officers Club * Koran Room * Ft. Myer, Virginia
Reservations required: $25/adults AND children, Under 2 FREE

Wednesday, April 11
Cherry Blossom Congressional Reception
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Cannon House Office Building
Canon Caucus Room
Washington, D.C.
Reservations required(to send in your reservations for the Congressional Reception click here)

Thursday, April 12
Princess Luncheon
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Renaissance Washington, D.C. Hotel
999 9th Street, NW; Washington D.C., 20001
Reserved seating: $55.00 adults; $25.00 children under 12; Under 2 Free

Friday, April 13
Official CB Queen Coronation & 100th Anniversary Grand Ball
SPONSORED BY Aflac, Inc. – Official Coronation of the 2012 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen &
the 100th Anniversary Cherry Blossom Grand Ball
6:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Renaissance Washington, D.C. Hotel
999 9th Street, NW; Washington D.C., 20001
Reserved seating: $150.00 adults; $75.00 children under 12; Under 2 FREE

Friday, April 13
100th Anniversary Cherry Blossom Grand Ball “After Party”
10:30 p.m. – 2:00 a.m
Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel
999 9th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Admission required: $40.00 per adult

Saturday, April 14
NCSS Closing Reception
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Renaissance Washington, D.C. Hotel
999 9th Street, NW; Washington D.C., 20001
Open to All Cherry Blossom Princess Alumnae AND
anyone who purchased a ticket to any NCSS event during the week
(to confirm your reservation for the Closing Reception, click here)

A more detailed explanation of the events is on the Cherry Blossom Website below. 
http://statesocieties.org/Events/CherryBlossomEvents.aspx

Feedback from CSS Members

“For me, joining the California State Society was a perfect taste of California away from home. It’s an easy way to meet new friends, find out about new positions, and make future contacts. The Ahhhscar Night and Cherry Blossom Events are some of my favorite in DC!” ~Jamie Findlater

Contact Information

For more information about the California State Society, please email info@californiastatesociety.com. To RSVP for a CSS event, please email rsvp@californiastatesociety.com.

For more information about or suggestions regarding the Cherry Blossom Celebration, please contact Gwen Brown at (202) 549-0844.