Cherry blossom season is a always boon to DC businesses as hordes of tourists and locals alike work their way downtown to check out the pink-hued signs that spring has sprung. Now, neighboring Silver Spring, MD is getting in on the action, despite the fact they don’t actually have any cherry blossoms…yet.

That will be changing on Saturday, April 3rd when the city hosts what they’re calling Big Cherry Block Party 2010 from 10 AM to 6 PM. While the celebration (the “first annual,” we’re told) will feature a slew of local vendors and retailers, the centerpiece of the day is set to be a cherry tree planting, officiated by none other than Japanese ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki.

Not that there’s any animosity on the part of the festival’s District counterparts. National Cherry Blossom Festival director Diana Mayhew will also be on hand for the planting, as will Japanese director/choreographer Shizumi Manale and his eponymously titled Shizumi Manale Kodomo Dance Troupe. The latter will kick off the day’s proceedings with some traditional Japanese footwork before Silver Spring gets its one tree to DC’s 3000. Not that we’re counting.

For anyone who has ever been over Japan way, this sounds like pretty standard fare for your average sakura celebration. All that’s missing now is the hanami party, where friends and strangers alike get together to get as drunk as possible to honor the coming of the spring. Well, at least the Quarry House Tavern is just a few blocks away…

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