It’s baaack! Well, actually, it never went away, but other things have prevented my posting it every week. I’m actually away from Washington this week, but if I were in town, I’d definitely visit the cherry blossoms, which are expected to reach peak bloom this spring weekend. You can get the details on the parade and other weekend events in Washington in my Washington Times column, available in today’s print edition, in PDF format, and below.

Washington Times Get Out: The Week’s Pocket Picks for April 10, 2015

By Samantha Sault

Pick of the Pack: The Lincoln Tribute

Wednesday marks the 150th anniversary of President Lincoln’s assassination at Ford’s Theatre. To remember the tragedy and the Lincoln legacy, the venue will host round-the-clock events Tuesday and Wednesday. Beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, historians will provide first-person accounts and academic lectures about the end of the Civil War, the timeline of the assassination and Lincoln’s lasting impacts. You also can catch a performance of “One Destiny,” which tells the story of that fateful night through the eyes of one of the actors and the theater’s owner, or a free screening of Steven Spielberg’s 2012 fi lm “Lincoln” at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. The highlight will be the candlelight vigil at 10:15 p.m. Tuesday followed by theater tours all night before a wreath-laying ceremony at 7:22 a.m. Wednesday, when Lincoln was officially pronounced dead. Most events require tickets, which can be reserved online or acquired at the theater’s box office beginning at 8:30 a.m. the day of the event. Tuesday and Wednesday at Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th St. NW. 202/347-4833. Web: Fords.org.

Festival: National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade & Japanese Street Festival

Spring weather has arrived just in time for the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. The parade will cover 10 blocks with helium balloons, floats and performers from across the country celebrating the blossoms and the nation’s friendship with Japan. Participants include law enforcement, dance ensembles, local celebrities, media personalities, military and high school marching bands, politicians, ambassadors and the Washington Redskins cheerleaders. Arrive early and grab a spot on the parade route along Constitution Avenue Northwest or purchase $20 tickets for grandstand seating near the National Archives. After the parade, take a walk around the Tidal Basin or rent a paddle boat to see the blossoms in peak bloom, or head to Pennsylvania Avenue for the Japanese Street Festival, featuring over 50 food and arts vendors as well as cultural performances. The parade will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday along Constitution Avenue between Seventh and 17th streets Northwest. Japanese Street Festival Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. along Pennsylvania Avenue between Ninth and 14th streets Northwest. 877/442-5666. Web: NationalCherryBlossomFestival.org.

National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade (Courtesy: National Cherry Blossom Festival)

Design: DC Design House

If spring cleaning has you itching to redecorate, you will want to visit the eighth annual DC Design House to get some inspiration from the area’s top interior designers. This year, an 8,869-square-foot country estate in McLean, Virginia, has been transformed into a magnificent dream home by two dozen interior designers, who have decorated the house’s 28 rooms and outdoor spaces with a blend of American farmhouse inspiration and modern amenities. You can get a first look Saturday, where the $50 preview ticket will include small bites by local celebrity chef Bryan Voltaggio of Volt and Range. The home opens to the public on Sunday. The DC Design House benefits the Children’s National Health System, and the event has raised more than $1 million for the cause in the past six years. Through May 10 at 956 Mackall Farms Lane, McLean, Virginia. Web: DCDesignHouse.com.

Dining: Taste of the Nation

A little self-indulgence next week can help a good cause. On Monday, Taste of the Nation will provide an opportunity to try dozens of the area’s hottest restaurants and bars while benefiting local hunger charities. Participants include longtime favorites such as Art & Soul and Westend Bistro and recent arrivals including Mango Tree and The Fainting Goat, as well as mixologists from Buffalo & Bergen, Southern Efficiency and Mockingbird Hill, among others. Tickets start at $120, but you can purchase VIP tickets for early admittance and meet-and-greets with Food Network celebrities. Taste the Nation benefits the Capital Area Food Bank, DC Hunger Solutions, and Mary’s Center, which supports pregnant women and infants in the need in the region. Monday at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. 800/969-4767. Web: Strength.org.

© Copyright 2015 The Washington Times, LLC and Samantha Sault