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Philly Cherry Blossom Festival ends with a picture-perfect day

  • Thousands celebrate Japanese culture under picture-perfect weather conditions during the 20th annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday.

    Thousands celebrate Japanese culture under picture-perfect weather conditions during the 20th annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

  • Thousands celebrate Japanese culture under picture-perfect weather conditions during the 20th annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday.

    Thousands celebrate Japanese culture under picture-perfect weather conditions during the 20th annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

  • Dressed in Japanese fashion, members of Frilladelphia sit on the lawn under the sakura trees during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday.

    Dressed in Japanese fashion, members of Frilladelphia sit on the lawn under the sakura trees during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

  • Dressed in Japanese fashion members of Frilladelphia sit on the lawn under the Sakura trees, during the annual Cherry Blossom festival, in Fairmount Park, on Sunday.

    Dressed in Japanese fashion members of Frilladelphia sit on the lawn under the Sakura trees, during the annual Cherry Blossom festival, in Fairmount Park, on Sunday. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

  • Stephanie Altmiller of Feasterville, Pennsylvania, shows off her Japanese Lolita-style street fashion as she poses during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday.

    Stephanie Altmiller of Feasterville, Pennsylvania, shows off her Japanese Lolita-style street fashion as she poses during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

  • Delmar Gill of Philadelphia, a Samurai sword collector, sits in the base of a tree, watching the crowd go by, during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday.

    Delmar Gill of Philadelphia, a Samurai sword collector, sits in the base of a tree, watching the crowd go by, during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

  • A cosplayer takes a break from a stage show featuring characters from Japanese movies, books and video games at the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday.

    A cosplayer takes a break from a stage show featuring characters from Japanese movies, books and video games at the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

  • Rachel Cohen of New Jersey poses in a Geisha costume outside the Shofuso Japanese House as Mark Gorman of Philadelphia takes photos.

    Rachel Cohen of New Jersey poses in a Geisha costume outside the Shofuso Japanese House as Mark Gorman of Philadelphia takes photos. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

  • Rick and Sandra Hill, of Philadelphia, rehearse martial arts routines before participating in a Doshinkan Aikido demonstration on stage during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday.

    Rick and Sandra Hill, of Philadelphia, rehearse martial arts routines before participating in a Doshinkan Aikido demonstration on stage during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

  • Artistic crafted sushi is on display during the Sushi Samurai of the Year competition at the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday.

    Artistic crafted sushi is on display during the Sushi Samurai of the Year competition at the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

  • Some of the food items offered at the event became sold out as thousands enjoy the celebration of Japanese culture under picture-perfect weather conditions during the 20th annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday.

    Some of the food items offered at the event became sold out as thousands enjoy the celebration of Japanese culture under picture-perfect weather conditions during the 20th annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

  • A nearly 50-year-old tiny Japanese pickup truck serves as a fresh fruit stand during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday.

    A nearly 50-year-old tiny Japanese pickup truck serves as a fresh fruit stand during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

  • Attendees try on colorful Japanese street fashion accessories offered by a merchant as thousands enjoy a celebration of Japanese culture during the 20th annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday.

    Attendees try on colorful Japanese street fashion accessories offered by a merchant as thousands enjoy a celebration of Japanese culture during the 20th annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

  • The Prettiest Pet in Pink Parade is one of the Sakura Sunday events during the 20th Annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park.

    The Prettiest Pet in Pink Parade is one of the Sakura Sunday events during the 20th Annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

  • Participating pug with pink paw nails interacts closely with the host during the Prettiest Pet in Pink Parade, one of the Sakura Sunday events during the 20th Annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park.

    Participating pug with pink paw nails interacts closely with the host during the Prettiest Pet in Pink Parade, one of the Sakura Sunday events during the 20th Annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

  • Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and a delegation of Japanese dignitaries pose for photos during a tour of the festival grounds during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday.

    Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and a delegation of Japanese dignitaries pose for photos during a tour of the festival grounds during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

  • Ruoxi Lu, Kathy Yu, Ruochen Lu and Vivian Wu are among a group picnicking under the sakura trees during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday.

    Ruoxi Lu, Kathy Yu, Ruochen Lu and Vivian Wu are among a group picnicking under the sakura trees during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

  • Ruochen Lu and Vivian Wu are among a group picnicking under the sakura trees during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday.

    Ruochen Lu and Vivian Wu are among a group picnicking under the sakura trees during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

  • Thousands enjoy a celebration of Japanese culture under picture-perfect weather conditions during the 20th annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday.

    Thousands enjoy a celebration of Japanese culture under picture-perfect weather conditions during the 20th annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

  • Thousands enjoy a celebration of Japanese culture under picture-perfect weather conditions during the 20th annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday.

    Thousands enjoy a celebration of Japanese culture under picture-perfect weather conditions during the 20th annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park on Sunday. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

Thousands visited Fairmount Park Sunday to celebrate spring and to enjoy iconic elements of the Japanese culture.

On the 20th anniversary of the Cherry Blossom Festival, beautiful weather created picture-perfect conditions.

Sakura Sunday is the culmination of the weeklong festival, showcasing traditional and contemporary elements of Japanese culture under the sakura, or blossoming cherry trees.

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