We went to the Cherry Blossom Festival annual Pink Tie Party at the Ronald Reagan Building Friday.
To celebrate what we thought was the end of winter, the festival kicked off spring with a beautiful all-pink affair, with cherry blossom-inspired foods, drinks and decor. We snapped Edelman's Hayley Kropog, Expedia's Philip Minardi, RGA's Justina Rusch, and FP1 Strategies' Christian Hulen.
15 local restaurants served tasty plates; favorites were Carmine's meatballs, Claudia's drunken ribeye, STK's cherry crumb cake, and Pinstripes' chocolate cheesecake with cherry gelato. Here, Arise's Paul Maclardy, Vicki Killian, NCBF Board member Laurel Lukaszewski, and artist Audrey Wilson.
Capital Riverfront BID's Michael Stevens, Potomac ASLA's Dena Kennett, and Land Design's Susan England and Stephanie Pankiewicz, who designed the sake and shochu drink room. We enjoyed the signature drink, the cherry blossom Strongbow hard apple cider.
Everyone enjoyed the silent auction and traditional Japanese musical performance by Kenny Endo's Taiko Band. All proceeds benefit the festival's programs promoting the beauty of the cherry blossoms and its international friendship. Here, Trade Center Management Associates' Susie Murach, Lovie Patish, Jessica Janssen and Jillian Lovejoy.
