People seem to be holding an unannounced parade on the sidewalks and around the trees. They move along like a colorful human chain. Parents and grandparents push babies in strollers. Dogs trot along on the pleasant march.

The animals are permitted so long as they are on a leash. Some families bring food and eat picnics under the trees.

With official permission, you can have a big picnic – or get married– in nearby East Potomac Park.

“My name is Amelia, I’m from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. We’ve having a sushi and like matsuri sort of lunch type thing for the Cherry Blossom Festival, which is another reason why we’re here.”

“Hi my name is Ramir, and I’m with my family and my friends. We’re visiting from New Jersey. We’re eating sandwiches with tomatoes, cucumbers, oranges, watermelon.”

“My first name is Grant, and I’m having pretzels, a sandwich, and some Kool-Aid.”

The waters of the Tidal Basin reflect the Jefferson Memorial, the huge white monument celebrating America’s third president, Thomas Jefferson. His statue stands inside a stone memorial. Some of his most important words line the walls. Among them: “The God who gave us life gave us liberty…”

Some people in the cherry-blossom crowd are going to the Jefferson Memorial to read those words.