WASHINGTON - The beautiful weather Sunday was the perfect backdrop for the blooming cherry blossoms, bringing out huge crowds to the Tidal Basin Sunday.

A parade, street fair and run were all on tap for this weekend for Washington's annual Cherry Blossom Festival.

The busy weekend kicked off Saturday morning with a parade featuring Alex Trebek, the host of the television quiz show Jeopardy as grand marshal. A Japanese street fair follows Saturday afternoon and on Sunday. The Metro transit system opened two hours early at 5 a.m. Sunday for a 10-Mile Run and 5K Run-Walk.

On Sunday, the eighth day of the festival, Bob and Pat Chick were able to get their first glance at the blooming trees. The couple has made many trips to Washington, but never in time to see the blossoms. This year, though, they wanted to be sure to see the pink trees before heading back to California.

"Always missed it...always the week before or it's going to be next week," Bob Chick said.

The petals have started to fly from the trees, a sign that the famous flowering trees peak is almost over, but the festivites surrounding the event continue on.

Also on Sunday, thousands of runners hit the pavement for a 10-mile race. The race raised a million dollars for the children's miracle network, but Sunday's events didn't end at the finish line. The day progressed with musical performances at the Jefferson Memorial and children's activities. The large crowds made it hard for some to get around.

"They had all the parking or roads sealed off so you could only park a few blocks away, which made it hard with the little ones," said Herndon resident Walter Smith.

I knew it was going to be crowded but I thought it was going to be much less than this," added Pat Wolfe from Chesterfield, Va.

Germantown resident, Subramanian Gowri, was not deterred by the crowds, deciding instead to bring her friends to the District for a picnic.

"It's a beautiful day. Who wants to miss this day?" Gowri said.

That same sentiment was shared by Bob and Pat Chick who say they're thrilled to finally take in the trees on this picture perfect day.

"It was really lovely," Pat Chick added.

The crowds started to emerge around the Tidal Basin as early as Friday. The Goonetileke family of New York chose to celebrate their daughter's first birthday in the midst of a true Washington, D.C., tradition.

"We were waiting since the beginning of the year to see if it was going to fall on her birthday so as soon as we found that it was, we packed the car and drove down," Kopal Goonetileke said.

"This is fun to have them out and see them," her husband, Himesh Goonetileke, added. "This is the first time we've been here, so it's fun.

There was already bumper-to-bumper traffic and street closures in place as early as Friday. The Thompsons of Florida made it through the mess in time to enjoy the day.

"It's so spectacular; we love it," Jay Thompson said.

"It's beautiful," added his wife, Lynn Thompson. "I'm glad the sun's finally come out and we can see them in the sun. It's absolutely beautiful."

The festival runs through April 12 with more than a million visitors expected to stroll through the 3,700 cherry trees that circle Washington's Tidal Basin and participate in a slew of festival events.

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