The payoff for living through Ванкувер‘s damp gray winters comes in the spring, when flowers around the city burst into bloom.

And what better way to celebrate spring’s arrival than with the Ванкувер Cherry Blossom Festival?

This flower-focused fest sponsors a variety of events around town, beginning this weekend (в субботу, Март 28) and continuing through April 24.

Среди основных моментов:

Под Cherry Tree
Суббота, Март 28 и воскресенье, Март 29, 10 am to 5 вечера, VanDusen Ботанический сад
The festival’s opening event celebrates the blossoms as well as Japanese culture.

Варенье из сакуры Downtown
Вторник, Март 31, полдень к 1:30 вечера, Беррард станции надземного метро
This free concert features the Cascade Brass Quintet with Blossom Brass, Тиби Тайко и Yuaikai Рюкю Тайко танца, глобальные ритмы Kutapira, Остров Японский поп-группа, and CBC’s Bill Richardson reading the winning haiku from the festival’s Haiku Invitational.

Bike в Цветет
Суббота, Апрель 18 10 am to 4 вечера, Начало в VanDusen Ботанический сад parking lot
This food-focused cycle tour travels along prime cherry blossom viewing routes. You can also sample local food and meet area farmers at community centers along the way. Co-sponsored by Slow Food Ванкувер, where you can get more information and also register online.

Дерево Переговоры и прогулки
Guided nature walks at area parks.

• Воскресенье, Апрель 5, 1 в 2:30 вечера, Парк королевы Елизаветы
• Пятница, Апрель 10, 3 в 4:30 вечера, Стэнли Парк
• Понедельник, Апрель 13, 1 в 2:30 вечера, UBC

And if you just want to explore Vancouver’s floral bounty on your own, check out the festival’s Cherry Blossom viewing map.

Фото Алан Брюс (Flickr)