National Cherry Blossom Festival in US

One day I was driving and listening to the radio, american news. The topic was about a extremely warm winter in Washington D.C. Then they said that the March is so warm that you can enjoy Sakura Blossom from 14th until 17th. I was so surprised to hear that. First of all, because of the word Sakura instead of cherry. Then it was surprising to hear American newscasters enthusiastically discussing Sakura as if they were real Japanese. I thought that maybe this particular news station located in Okinawa was influented by Japanese culture but to tell the truth, Okinawan sakura is not a big tradition comparing to mainland (Tokyo and Kyoto). I didn't know yet that next day I will be given a complete answer to this!
Next day I went to the Japanese language school to watch my Philippino friend's classmates congratulating their senior students who graduated this year. Current students sang a song in Japanese. Then graduated students made their short speeches. One girl was from the States, particularly from Washington D.C. And she said that her homeland proudly has its national Cherry blossom festival enjoying real Sakura trees which were presented from Japan over a hundred years ago from mayor of Tokyo in sign of friendship. Every year people enjoy real Japanese sakura, usually in April. The girl came to Okinawa 8 years ago. First years she felt homesick away from her family. In spring she went to watch Okinawan sakura blossom to northern mountains but she was disappointed because Okinawan sakura was not as gorgeous as on the mainland and it was a far cry from Washington Cherry festival, too. Finally, she said, she managed to like Okinawan small pink flowers which blossom when green leaves are already showed up.
I hope she will have a chance to watch Sakura blossom in Tokyo someday. This season is coming soon. Sakura alleys along rivers and channels will cover with pink and white foam of flowers, and then small nicely shaped petals will fall slowly to the ground and onto the water suface, reminding a snowfall.

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