The public is invited to join hosts from ABC 7 Doug McKelway, Alison Starling and Beverly Kirk for an exciting morning of spectacles, music and entertainment! If you can’t make it to the event, you can catch it on TV, the parade will simulcast live on ABC 7 and NewsChannel8. Those joining the street-audience will recognize the voices of radio broadcasters hosting the event Loo Katz and Lori Brooks from Washington DC’s 97.1 WASH-FM.

You will find these exciting new additions in the 2008 Cherr Blossom Parade\

Disney Channel Star Keke Palmer performs live!
Best known for playing the title role in “Akeelah and the Bee,” Keke will showcase her vocal talent.

Ugly Betty Star, Mark Indelicato performs live!
This multitalented star will leave the role of Betty’s nephew Justin Suarez for the day as he performs the hit song “Call N Return” with ample back-up from the Washington DC Wizards’ Dance Team.

The classic Kathy Sledge performs live!
A member of the iconic Sister Sledge, Kathy will perform the group’s most famous single “We are Family” live to thrill spectators of all ages. Performance brought to you by 97.1 WASH-FM.

American Idol Finalist Anwar Robinson performs live!
Currently starring as Collins in the National Tour of RENT, Anwar wowed the judges in DC to win a spot on American Idol. He’ll be sure to impress you with his vocal blend of jazz, gospel and R&B on parade day.

Miss America 2008, Kristen Haglund of Michigan performs live!
This aspiring Broadway star will dazzle crowds with her vocal talent–not to mention her grace, poise, and charisma by singing “Over the Rainbow”.

Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2008, Caitlin Brunell of Virginia performs live!
Caitlin, a sophomore in high school in Fairfax, Virginia is an accomplished model and aspiring Broadway star. She will wow spectators with her dance moves in the parade.

Military Idol winner, Corporal Vicki Golding, performs live in the finale!
A member of the 257th Army Band, the Band of the Nation’s capital, Vicki Golding is the Military Idol winner and has called the Washington, DC-area home for the last 5 years. She’ll perform “It’s Cherry Blossom Time, “ a piece created just for the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Marching bands are a vibrant element of the parade. NCBF is proud to welcome 11 outstanding bands that competed to thrill audiences with their musicality, marching, uniforms, and drum-lines. The bands come from all over the country, is your home state–or even town–represented?

What else happens in the Cherry Blossom Parade?

The parade is a spectacular event for children of all ages;

Dance and drumming performance teams from Japan and the United States highlight the art of taiko drumming.

Cherry blossom queens from the US and Japan add royalty to the procession.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival® All-StarTap Dance Team and Youth Choir entertain with sensational musical numbers for eager audiences.

Giant balloons, floats, horses, antiquecars, clowns and mascots all add to the merriment on parade morning.

Over 500 volunteers help the day of the Parade. The National Park Service works with the National Cherry Blossom Festival® in producing the largest event of the two-week festival.

Source: By National Cherry Blossom Festival