Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival launches with Saturday’s big picnic

The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off Saturday, April 1, with a big picnic in David Lam Park.

Billed as Vancouver’s largest outdoor picnic, it’s the start of a month-long spring event celebrating the city’s spectacular canopy of blossoming cherry trees.

Another highlight of the festivities is Sakura Days Japan Fair in VanDusen Botanical Garden, on Saturday and Sunday, April 15-16.

The festival was in doubt until last month when presenting sponsor Edge Construction came on board, along with financial contributions from the Yaletown BIA, Alfa Romeo and FIAT of Vancouver, Lotus of Vancouver and Polestar Cars Vancouver.