The U.S. capital, Washington, D.C., hosts cultural and athletic events throughout the year. In March, Washington's temperatures increase and the first signs of spring appear. The area's climate allows locals to participate in outdoor festivals and parades during this month. National and international cultures events occur in D.C., including an independent film festival, St. Patrick's Day and Asian-influenced celebrations.
The Sun Trust National Marathon (nationalmarathon.com) is an annual race in the nation's capital; the first year of the race was 2006 and it occurs in late March. The starting and ending points of the 26.2-mile marathon is Robert F. Kennedy Stadium, home of the D.C. United soccer club. Approximately 8,000 racers participate every year. The race runs through Adams Morgan district, Pennsylvania Avenue, Anacostia Riverwalk Trail and the National Mall.
The Washington Wizards (nba.com) is the National Basketball Association franchise for the greater Washington, D.C., area; the Wizards play games throughout March. This team has played in D.C. since 1974 and were previously known as the Washington Bullets. The Wizards play their home games at the Verizon Center, located in Washington's Chinatown district. Verizon Center has a seating capacity of approximately 20,170 spectators for basketball games.
In early march, Washington, D.C., hosts the annual D.C. Independent Film Festival (dciff.org), or DCIFF, at various movie theater venues throughout the capital city. Film Festival locations include the Leteller Theater, Spectrum Theater and the Dome/Artisphere Theater in Arlington, Virginia. DCIFF's first year was 1999. This festival runs for 10 to 11 days. DCIFF also provides film-related workshops and seminars. Most of the films at this festival are produced by local D.C. filmmakers.
The St. Patrick's Day Parade in Washington, D.C. (dcstpatsparade.com), marches down Constitution Avenue, between Seventh and 17th Streets. The parade occurs on the Sunday before St. Patrick's Day, which is March 17. Participants in the parade include local high school and college bands, street performers and Irish dancers. The first St. Patrick's Day Parade in Washington, D.C., was in 1971.
Running from late March through early April, the National Cherry Blossom Festival (nationalcherryblossomfestival.org) is held in honor of the friendship between the United States and Japan. The festival commemorates the first cherry trees in D.C., which were given to the city from Yukio Ozaki, mayor of Tokyo, Japan. March events at this festival include Family Day at the National Building Museum, Community Cherry Blossom Art Show at Union Station and Pink Tie Party fund-raiser.
