Program Playtimes The annual Cherry Blossom Day 2024 is Saturday, March 16 at Oregon State Capitol. This festival started in Salem over 100 years ago, kindling a long, deepening friendship between Salem and Japan who celebrate the blossom's arrival with rituals and events. Stacy Nalley of Oregon Capitol Visitors Department tells this remarkable story, and gives us an idea of what to expect at this year's event which will include costumes, music, dance, Taiko Drummers and day and nighttime viewing of the Capiol's hundreds of cherry trees.