Members of the Howard County community gathered at Centennial Park, in Ellicott City, May 3 to celebrate the second annual Comcast "Cherrybration."

The celebration is presented by Blossoms of Hope, a five-year-old county tourism organization, in order to "beautify our destination (by planting cherry trees around Howard County, and to) ... raise cancer awareness," according to Victoria Goodman, executive director of Blossoms of Hope.

The trees were planted on public and private property and were sponsored by individuals and corporations, Goodman added. The effort benefits the Claudia Mayer Cancer Resource and Image Center, in Columbia.

There are about 1,300 trees that have been planted in the last five years, Goodman said.

"We think the trees have a great lesson for everyone ... just enjoy the moment (when the trees are in bloom). It does not last for very long," she said.

About 1,000 people attended the day-long event, which included crafts, food and music, and soccer games with members of the D.C. United and Washington Freedom professional soccer teams.

The event culminated with a parade of lanterns at twilight. The lanterns, consisting of tissue paper and lit by a battery-powered tea light, were made in the last month at workshops throughout the county.

The event "was very popular for families. It was a great day outside," Goodman said.

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