Damon M. Williams

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First Posted: 4/26/2014 WILKES-BARRE &#8212; One of the sure signs of early spring and the end of a recently harsh winter is the blossoming of cherry trees in Northeastern Pennsylvania and the start of outdoor festivals.
To celebrate nature&#8217;s annual ritual of colorful blossoms, the city of Wilkes-Barre on Saturday once again sponsored the 2014 Cherry Blossom Festival at Kirby Park. The event ran from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and will run again the same times today.
Enthusiastic festival-goers paraded into the event all day Saturday. Thousands are expected to walk through the park over the two-day event, and they will enjoy a plethora of entertainment and outdoor activities, according to city officials.
&#8220;The festival events promise to be endless family fun,&#8221; said Liza Prokop, community relations coordinator for the city. &#8220;The public needs to see what all the fun is about,&#8221; she said.
About 20 vendors set up their shops to showcase their crafts, food vendors offered a wide variety of fare to feed the masses and even amusement rides were operating to entertain &#8220;children of all ages,&#8221; she said.
Available tented seating allowed the festival to go on even when the weather did not cooperate a few times Saturday.
In conjunction with the festival the annual &#8220;Pirouettes in the Park&#8221; showcased professional dancers on Saturday. Broadway-bound Mark Stuart Dance Theatre along with performers from 18 local dance ensembles performed.
There were dancers of all ages and styles; some did ethnic step dances, others classical ballet. There were modern and jazz dancers as well as musical theater performers, Prokop said.
Sunday&#8217;s festival will focus more on musical entertainment. Seven local bands are scheduled to perform, providing a wide variety of modern, traditional and lively music.
Overall the festival organizers said they focused on activities for everyone.
&#8220;Throughout the weekend there will be food and crafts, face painting, caricatures, amusement rides, games, pony rides and a petting zoo,&#8221; Prokop said. &#8220;People are strongly encouraged to bring a blanket and lawn chair and spend the whole day in Kirby Park,&#8221; she said.
City officials are happy to offer two days of free, family-friendly entertainment, Prokop said.

Cherry Blossom fest sure spring sign