Community Corner

Survey: Washingtonians Admit To Picking Cherry Blossoms

In an online survey, 17 percent of respondents admitted to picking the blossoms, according to the Crime Museum.

In a recent survey regarding Washington DC's cherry blossoms, 17 percent of respondents admitted to picking the city's signature blossoms, the Crime Museum said in a press release. The museum conducted the survey on its website.

The museum is warning residents against picking the cherry blossoms that surround the Tidal Basin, which is a violation of federal law. For those attending the National Cherry Blossom Festival in search of a keepsake, the Crime Museum is offering free workshops where attendees can make their own origami blossoms.

“By letting festival attendees make their own beautiful cherry blossoms, they won’t be tempted to commit a crime by picking these lovely flowers, which are so much a symbol of our city,” Janine Vaccarello, COO of the Crime Museum, said in a statement. ”We are eager to offer this unique opportunity to keep festival goers from committing a crime during the festival.”

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The National Cherry Blossom Festival is underway through April 14. Forecasters pushed back the peak cherry blossom bloom date to April 3 through 6 following cold March temperatures.

Workshops are being offered Fridays and Sundays through April 14. For more information visit the Crime Museum's website. No reservations are required.

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In addition to the workshops, attendees can buy the origami blossoms for $1 to be displayed at the museum. Proceeds will benefit the Natalee Holloway Resource Center.

You can also donate online to the center or learn how to make your own origami blossoms.


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