Things to Do

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The Cherry Blossom Kite Festival at Virginia Highlands Park will have something for everyone! See below for the list of activities*

*activities are 10 a.m.-1 p.m. unless otherwise noted

Kite Kits & Decorating

The first 100 attendees will receive a free kite kit to decorate, fly and take home!

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Food Trucks

Local food trucks serving up delicious eats will be set up along S Joyce St facing the baseball fields for a seriously delicious lunchtime.

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3-D Cherry Blossom Trees Art Project

Using decorative paper and paper bags, we will create 3-D cherry blossom trees. For ages 5+.

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Moon Bounces

Get your bounce on! We'll have three fun inflatables for kids of all ages to get their wiggles out.

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Origami

Study Japanese in Arlington (SJA) will host an origami activity open to young learners to children 3 to 12 interested in learning origami paper folding, an art form and one of the oldest parts of Japanese culture. Easy-to-follow instructions create simple yet adorable models anyone can enjoy. Instructors are trained and certified under the Taro’s Origami Studio Artist Basic Certification Course.

 

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Live Entertainment

Get into the groove with live performances from local groups. Check out the line-up below:

10-10:40 a.m.:The Sunshine Gang

Sunshine Gang Group Shot.jpg The Sunshine Gang, fronted by Musical Director Keith Fagan and founded and managed by guitarist Jim Klein, brings together talented Arlington and DC Area musicians and singers who inspire each other and entertain audiences by ‘finding the fun’ in making music. Their repertoire is drawn largely from classic 1960s-1980s rock & roll, but their song selection ventures into blues, gospel, jazz standards and originals. If you like the Beatles, Elvis, Stevie Wonder, Eagles and the like, you’ll love their show!

 

11-11:20 a.m.: Encore Stage & Studio's Theater for the Very Young show, "Side Walk Stroll"

DSC_0938-1800x1197.jpgTheatre for the Very Young, presents "A Sidewalk Stroll" -featuring professional artists who bring park adventures to life, all the while teaching your little one about navigating through life's surprises.  Recommended for all ages, including the young at heart.

 


11:40 a.m.-1 p.m.: The 19th Street Band

street photo bw ml album.jpg Characterized by high energy and strong vocal harmonies, The 19th Street Band bridges the musical traditions of country and roots from Ireland to the Appalachia with their eclectic gypsy-rock spirit leaping from the stage and engaging every crowd. The charismatic vibe that Caolaidhe Davis (guitar player/vocalist) blends with fiddle/mandolin player/vocalist/partner-in-crime, Meghan Davis, creates a joy-filled chemistry that no crowd can resist. Add to the mix the highly talented rhythm section, Greg Hardin (bass) & Patty Dougherty (drums), and this band will have every crowd addicted. The band’s newest album, Diamond in the Rough, was chosen as ‘Album of the Month’ on West Norfolk Radio, selected as a finalist for the DC Wammie Awards and has received air play on numerous radio stations throughout the UK. It includes three songs that were co-written by the late, great Philip Donnelly and John Prine.

1:20-2 p.m.: Flamenco Aparicio

SD4_0062c.jpg Edwin Aparicio (Choreographer, Director, Dancer) trained with renowned flamenco artists Tomás de Madrid and “La Tati." Mr. Aparicio performed with the Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center, including its most recent production of Carmen (2015); the Washington Ballet in Hemmingway’s The Sun Also Rises (2013);, has appeared as a soloist with ensembles such as the José Greco Spanish Dance Company and shared the stage with such celebrated artists as Carmela Greco, Pastora Galván, “La Tati,” and José Luis Rodríguez. Mr. Aparicio is the artistic director and choreographer of eleven acclaimed productions, including Íntimo with Carmela Greco, which premiered at GALA Theatre in Washington, DC, and then toured to Philadelphia, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Portland, OR; and Entresueño, which marked his New York City debut as a company director. He is a co-founder and curator of GALA’s annual Fuego Flamenco Festival and is on the faculty of the Washington School of Ballet. Mr. Aparicio was named one of “25 Dancers to Watch” by Dance Magazine in 2009; received a Protagonista Award from GALA for his artistic achievements in the Latino community; and received the Cross of the Order of Civil Merit bestowed by King Felipe VI of Spain.

 

 

 

 

Emergency Vehicle Display & Demo

The Arlington County Fire Department will be on site with emergency vehicles and will do demonstrations.

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Storytime in the Park (10-10:30 a.m.)

Join us for story time in the park with a Cherry Blossom themed book, movement activity and a painting craft for ages 2 to 5.

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Home in a Cherry Tree (noon-1 p.m.)

We'll learn all about animals that make their homes in a cherry tree, from birds to bugs and maybe even snakes! We'll have all sorts of learning materials for people to see as well as some live animals.

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Muscle Conditioning (12:15-1 p.m.)

Get your heartrate up and get a bodyweight workout before stretching it out at this class for adults.

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Kendama

The Kendama is made up of the “Ken” (handle) and the “Tama” (ball), which is connected by a string. You can use the Kendama to do a variation of juggling the ball in the three cups, spiking the ball with the Ken spike, and balancing both in new creative ways. Join us bring this fun event to test your abilities to learn trick and flips. This activity is open to all ages.

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Arlington Public Library "Truck"

Arlington Public Library truck will be on site with books to check out and Library giveaways.

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Thank you to programming partner Study Japanese in Arlington (SJA)!

Study Japanese in Arlington

Study Japanese in Arlington (SJA) started as Save Japanese in Arlington in May 2018, after the Arlington Public School System (APS) announced its intention to end the Japanese language program. SJA launched a student-led grassroots campaign, organizing a petition, and making an appeal at the school board meeting. The Japanese program was reinstated at all high schools in the county that school year. As of 2021, about 100 students are enrolled in Japanese classes at three high schools in APS. 

To continue their grassroots promotion of Japanese language and culture in Arlington, SJA, now with a new name, Study Japanese in Arlington, became a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization in September 2018. They continue to create free Japanese language and cultural opportunities for residents of the DC area. 

For more information: https://sjastudy.org/
Follow SJA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sja2018sja