CHESAPEAKE BEACH, Md. — Each spring, the beauty of cherry blossom trees captures the public imagination and draws tourists from around the world. This year, a local tea shop in Chesapeake Beach is bringing the festivities close to home.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., kicks off on March 20 this year and runs until April 1. “Peak bloom,” when the blossoms are at their biggest and brightest, is expected to last from March 29 to April 1. The event invites people to view the trees and plays host to several major events.
The D.C. cherry blossoms were given to the city of D.C. as a gift from Tokyo’s then-mayor, Yukio Ozaki. Cherry blossoms can be found around the country, but many cities, towns, and individuals planted them in the DMV area following the successful gift of the D.C. trees. Cherry blossoms, or sakura, have a rich meaning in Japanese culture; they represent beauty and mortality, and have symbolized the fleeting nature of life in Japanese art. It’s a gift well worth celebrating these last 114 years.
Butterflies & Wishes Tea and Sweets at 3819 Harbor Road is putting their own personal, local spin on this regional love affair with cherry blossom trees. From March 18 to April 12, the shop will offer a special cherry blossom tea service menu, featuring an assortment of cherry blossom teas and treats such as cherry French macarons, an English tea biscuit with cherry jam, and a cherry pineapple tea sandwich.
In addition to the special menu, Butterflies & Wishes is offering cherry blossom arts and crafts events and a children’s story time throughout the month.
The shop has offered the Cherry Blossom Tea Service every year since 2021. Owner Sandy Walker-Samler said she first got the idea from the cherry blossom trees that were outside the building.
“They always lifted my spirits when I arrived at the shop. When we all were just coming out of COVID-19, I felt everyone needed some cheer and what better way to bring happiness than celebrating with a themed Cherry Blossom Tea Service,” Walker-Samler wrote in an email to The BayNet. “Now we celebrate it with the arrival of spring and there are so many lovely cherry tea blends that are refreshing and delicious. It’s just a beautiful time of the year.”
Learn more about the event online or by following Butterflies & Wishes on Facebook.
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