The Women’s History Month factoid about Willa Brown – who was the first Black woman to earn both a pilot license (1938) and a commercial license (1939), courtesy of Long Beach Airport (LGB).
And the announcement from Tampa International Airport (TPA) about TPA To Go – a new food delivery service in the airport.
NOW PLAYING: "Letters of Fire" by Glen Milner. Actor @DominicWest narrates explorer Ernest Shackleton's observations on the unforgiving nature of Antarcticaâs landscape in this short that evokes the regionâs fragility. Watch the short film: https://t.co/IUZl6r8KIt#VideoArtsSFOMpic.twitter.com/DVw8jcLEMz
The Cherry Blossom watch is on in Washington, D.C., with the National Park Service predicting April 1 as the peak viewing time for cherry blossoms in nationâs capital.
D.C.âs National Cherry Blossom Festival continues through April 14, but travelers arriving or departing at the two DC-area airports, Reagan National and Dulles International, get a sneak peek, thanks to a cherry blossom pop-up at Dulles International and Japanese music and calligraphy at Reagan National airports.
At Dulles International (at the intersection of Concourses A and B) travelers will find a whimsical cherry blossom pop-up park with a 15-foot, replica cherry blossom tree, park benches or bistro tables.
The park will remain on site
through May, with scheduled events through April 8.
Each Friday through April 12, travelers flying out of Reagan National will be able to hear performances by Japanese Koto musicians. A master calligrapher (to inscribe luggage tags) and a sketch artist will be on site as well.
Both airports have partnered with the official
National Cherry Blossom Festival to present the exclusive 2019 National Cherry
Blossom canvas tote bag. Any purchase of $100 or more at any two retail or
dining locations will receive the tote as a gift with purchase. (Look for signs
telling you how to redeem).
Find more details about the Cherry Blossom
Festival events, including a discount parking offer, at DCA and IAD airports here.
(Washington Dulles International Airport, photo by J. David Buerk)
The month-long National Cherry Blossom Festival is underway in the Washington, D.C. area and even the airports are getting into the spirit with cherry trees in bloom and buildings lit in pink at night.
Inside the airports, there are cherry blossom-themed promotions and entertainment scheduled through April 16.
There will be Cherry Blossom stilt walkers strolling through airport halls pre-and post-security from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays (March 24, March 31, April 7 and April 14).
Photo courtesy Sidney Woods
Entertainment on tap includes souvenir photos, paint sessions with a Japanese Sumi-E artist (black ink painting) and performances by Cellist Peter Kibbe at Dulles International on Thursday, April 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and at Reagan National on Friday, April 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Several restaurants will be offering pink-themed menu selections and drinks through April 17 and shoppers who spend more than $100 (pre-tax) on food or retail can turn those receipts in for a free National Cherry Blossom coaster set.
The performances at Reagan National Airport are in the pre-security area, on the Concourse Level across from Cosi near Terminal C or Cibo near Terminal B.
Here’s the line-up for the rest of the summer:
At Dulles International Airport, the performances are held at the East Security Checkpoint on the Ticketing Level.
The July 4th travel ‘season’ is evidently already underway, as airports around the country have already rolled out their in-terminal holiday celebrations.
Courtesy Orlando International Airport (photo from 2012 performance)
Orlando International Airport starts celebrating this weekend (Liberty Weekend) with a free concert by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra in the Hyatt Regency Hotel atrium (which doubles as the main atrium of the airport) on Saturday, June 29 at 7:45 p.m.
The concert is free and in the pre-security area of the airport and everyone who attends will receive American flags, pins and three hours of complimentary parking.
Orlando International Airport has another patriotic event underway in the atrium: a display of 50 tempered-glass poppies (The Remembrance Poppies) by Craig Mitchell Smith. Poppies have been the American Legion’s symbol of symbol of tribute to fallen soldiers since World War I.
Starting today and running through July 7th, there will be red, white and blue menus at many airport restaurants, patriotic displays in the shops and a fun photo contest called #BumpedIntoObama.
Look for âthe Presidentâ outside various shops in either airport (you can find out where he is by checking the IAD and DCA social media sites); get your picture taken with him, share the photo on Twitter or Instagram (@IADFoodandShops or @DCAFoodandShops) with the hashtag #BumpedIntoObama and you’ll not only have a fun souvenir – you’ll be entered into a daily drawing for a $25 Gift Card.
