"Hanami," you, and a picnic!

Are you relishing the idea of your first family picnic of the year? Why not plan a picnic with Japanese flair? Spring brings to Japan the fun tradition of hanami, or, literally, "flower-gazing." Families or coworkers plan elaborate picnics underneath blooming cherry trees and use the opportunity to sing some karaoke, eat sushi, and imbibe sake. 

Philadelphia is home to a wonderful variety and amount of cherry trees that are currently in bloom, and the Japan America Society is hosting events in honor of Philadelphia's 2009 Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia. Even if you can't take your children to any of the story times, demonstrations, or other events, the cherry trees are still beautiful and inviting - but not for long (they usually bloom only until mid-April)! GAPpers are fortunate to have a grove of these lovely trees at the intersection of Lincoln Drive and Wissahickon Avenue, at Rittenhousetowne.  

The picture at the right displays another great spot for a cherry tree picnic -- under the grand cherry tree that resides behind the William Jeanes Memorial Library in Lafayette Hill. Visit one of their engaging story times if you have little ones and picnic outside afterwards.

If you admire the majestic magnolia trees even more than the cherries, visit Pastorius Park in Chestnut Hill and picnic surrounded by pink blooms.  There is also a single, gorgeous magnolia at the edge of another good choice for a picnic: the grounds of the New Covenant Campus in Mt. Airy, across from the Trolley Car Diner. 

There may not be any blooming trees, but you can also try a picnic under the pines at one of the tables in Fairmount Park by the Northwestern Stables, at the top of Chestnut Hill. The kids will love to watch the horses go by as you eat and there is plenty of room to run around. Hike up the trail to Forbidden Drive by the creek afterwards.

Happy picnicing and bloom gazing!