As the cherry blossoms bloom in Alexandria, we reflect on a special moment in our community’s history. In 2006, Ben Brenman Park hosted a Cherry Blossom Festival, a memorable event filled with community spirit, undampened by torrential rains. With the cherry blossoms predicted to peak between March 28-31, 2025, now is the perfect time to revisit this throwback article celebrating the beauty of the blossoms in our own backyard.
It Takes More Than a Monsoon to Dampen the Cherry Blossom Spirit....
By Cindy McCartney
On April 8, 2006, as Alexandria awoke to a cloudy day, the intrepid volunteer committee for the First Annual Cherry Blossom Festival was already busy at work setting the stage for the day. Muffins, sandwiches, and cookies by the dozen were being wrapped to sell at the Cameron Perks table at the festival; the brave vendors who showed up were setting up their wares for the day; and food purveyors took their positions in Ben Brenman Park.
If wishing could have made it so, the day would have been picture-perfect, with plenty of sunshine and warm conditions. However, Mother Nature had other plans... after a couple of hours of setting up, the deluge began, drenching everything and everyone in sight! Not only rain, but high winds arrived to make matters even worse. There were still high spirits all around, however; attendees and vendors took the storm in stride, until hurricane-like conditions set in.
Trying to get warm and dry, everyone crowded into Cameron Perks, where Mayor Euille and Vice Mayor Pepper were on hand to greet the people. Several incumbents and candidates for City Council were also present. Attendees were great sports and bought pizzas, cookies and cherry pies to help close the gap of the food investment.
Thanks to all who supported and volunteered to help. We are already looking at setting a date for 2007!
The plaque listing the names of cherry tree donors and honorees was not installed on April 8, 2006 so a special ceremony was planned for Saturday, May 20, 2006. We invite you to come into Ben Brenman Park, at the corner of Somerville Street and Brenman Park Drive, and view this beautiful memorial.
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