As thousands of visitors fly Washington to attend the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, which will be celebrated from March 24th through April 8th, they will experience their first blossom experience at the Ronald Reagan Washington National and Washington Dulles International Airports.

Said James A. Wilding, President/CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, "Each year, this annual celebration marks the beginning of the region's peak tourism season, and our airports play an important role in meeting the travel needs of these visitors. We're very pleased to join in the celebration with special promotions at our airports."

The shops at both airports, which are operated by Westfield Concession Management, Inc., and the restaurants, operated by HMS Host, are offering special promotions from March 22nd through April 8th.

Special kiosks will sell Cherry Blossom-themed items in Terminal B at National Airport and in Concourse B at Dulles Airport.

Starting Friday, March 22nd, a free 2002 Commemorative Cherry Blossom Lapel Pin will be given with any $7 purchase at participating stores and restaurants at both airports, while supplies last.

At National Airport, several food and beverage locations will feature Cherry Blossom Specials including: TGIFriday's Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat on tap; Auntie Anne's - Buy two pretzels and get the third FREE; Primo Cappuccino's Strawberry Pink Muffin and Large Coffee for $3 plus tax; and the Cheesecake Factory Bakery Café and Starbucks Coffee offering of a Tall Coffee and Raspberry Danish for $2.99 plus tax.

The stores at National will hold a Cherry Blossom Sidewalk Sale from March 22 -28, 2002.

At Dulles Airport, TGIFriday's will feature a pink specialty drink - the frozen Strawberry Cheesecake and Vie de France will offer a Croissant Blossom.

The Dulles Airport Cherry Blossom Sidewalk Sale will be held from April 2 - 8.

The Airports Authority joins the annual festival with it's own landscaping program at Reagan National Airport. Five Yoshino cherry blossom trees, similar to the variety at the Tidal Basin, are planted near Terminal A.

In addition, HMSHost will sponsor this year's National Cherry Blossom Festival Golf Classic held on Monday, April 8th at the Army-Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia.