“It’s appreciating the beauty in life that makes life worth living”- Linda Poole, Festival Director.

Every year, we in Vancouver are fortunate enough to enjoy the pretty colors that come along with spring.  One of these very familiar colors is the soft pink of cherry blossoms that cover our trees during the season.  If you actually stop and take the time to look around our beautiful city, you’d notice just how many cherry blossom trees we have—along residential streets, at the local parks, and by the skytrain stations.  Altogether, Vancouver has approximately 37,000 cherry trees, many of which originated as gifts from Japan.  It is because of these generous gifts that Linda Poole, current Festival Director, decided to create a festival in Vancouver to celebrate the beauty and joy the cherry trees bring to everyone.

The Cherry Blossom Festival, with the continued support of its benefactor Dr. David C. Lam, has been growing since its founding year in 2005. I asked Linda what outcome she envisions from having the Cherry Blossom Festival taking place in Vancouver, and she replied simply:

“The pink blossoms give off inspiration to all those who take in their beauty.  I want to unite citizens of Vancouver through enjoyment of the cherry blossoms and bring them together through an active lifestyle by participating in the events that the Festival has to offer.”

And just what events are available for us to partake in this year?

Though the Festival is not happening in its full entirety this year (because of the Olympics happening, and a desire to prepare for a highly anticipated Festival next year), you can still participate in the Haiku Invitational until May 31, 2010.  Simply submit your 3-lined poem to www.vcbf.ca and get a chance to be one of the winning entries, whose haiku will appear on public transit systems (busses and skytrains..neat!).

If you are not a poet, then maybe you would prefer to participate in Bike the Blooms on April 17, 2010, a scenic bike ride throughout Vancouver and its unique areas.  The tour is filled with cherry blossom trees, and last year, participants travelled from the eastside to the westside of Vancouver.
Register with the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition at www.greatrides.ca.

Last but certainly not least, The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival is allowing citizens to help celebrate Vancouver’s 125^th Birthday next year on April 6, 2011! Purchase a $30 ornamental cherry tree today to plant next year across the city.  There is a lot of hype going around for this initiative called Birthday Blossoms, as it is leading up to our city’s big 125^th Birthday next year! These beautiful cherry trees have been purchased by many people already, but not only for Birthday gifts. Some trees have been bought for anniversary gifts, graduation gifts, and wedding gifts.

Get to truly bask in spring and take part in the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival! I love this city!

For more information on the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival and its programming and events, please visit www.vcbf.ca.