5-year-old Harper Debra Armstrong is crowned 2025 Little Miss Cherry Blossom by Gina Malsky, West Pittston Cherry Blossom Festival entertainment coordinator.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
Dancers from Broadway on the Boulevard performed under rainy conditions before the West Pittston Cherry Blossom Festival Opening Ceremonies on Saturday morning.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
Evelynn Viglione flies through the air as she performs a dance routine for Broadway on the Boulevard Dance troupe on Saturday at the West Pittston Cherry Blossom Festival.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
The Marketplace Tent was busy at the West Pittston Cherry Blossom Festival on Saturday.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
17-year-old Cora Lykins shops at the Rynkiewicz dips and mixes stand at the West Pittston Cherry Blossom Festival on Saturday.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
There are plenty of attractions for children at the West Pittston Cherry Blossom Festival, which continues Sunday from 11:30 a.m. through a 5:30 p.m. closing ceremony.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
West Pittston Cherry Blossom Committee member Gina Malsky, left, presents a scholarship to upcoming Wyoming Area graduate Petra Pribula. Kevin Wiedl and Hayden Loughman were also scholarship recipients.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
Former Luzerne County Judge Tom Burke thanks the West Pittston Cherry Blossom Committee for selecting him as the 2025 Grand Marshal.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
Lori DeAngelo, the 2025 West Pittston Cherry Blossom Festival president, speaks during the Opening Ceremony of the 54th annual festival.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
The 54th Annual West Pittston Cherry Blossom Festival kicked off Saturday, including the Little Miss Cherry Blossom contest. From left are: this year’s contestants, Amelia Roxy vanMaanen, 8; Lily Andrews, 6; and Harper Debra Armstrong, 5; Gina Malsky, Cherry Blossom entertainment coordinator; and Maria Meade, the 2024 Little Miss Cherry Blossom.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
The inaugural West Pittston Cherry Blossom Festival 2-mile run is in progress Saturday morning, led by 91-year-old Warren Pollard on a bicycle to map the route out for the runners.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
The hometown Wyoming Area High School Band plays tunes along the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade route.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
Retired Luzerne County Judge Tom Burke serves as the 2025 West Pittston Cherry Blossom Festival grand marshal as he tips his hat to the camera on the parade route.
Tony Callaio | For Times Leader
WEST PITTSTON — The 54th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival sponsored by Big Top Rental kicked off Saturday morning with the inaugural “It’s Electric” Cherry Blossom Charge 2-Mile Run in honor of the late Robert Messina Sr.
Messina was a longtime Cherry Blossom volunteer, electrician, committee person and eventually president. He passed away earlier this year and is being honored at this year’s festival.
The Cherry Blossom Parade stepped off at 11 a.m. at Blue Ribbon Dairy, traveled east on Route. 92, making a right onto Route 11, before turning at Philadelphia Ave.
The Opening Ceremony took place at 12:45 p.m. under rainy conditions. Brief comments were offered by Lori DeAngelo, the Cherry Blossom Festival president, and former Luzerne County Judge Tom Burke, the 2025 Grand Marshal.
The Little Miss Cherry Blossom contest got underway as the rain slowed. 5-year-old Harper Debra Armstrong was crowned the 2025 winner.
The marketplace, covered under a 130-foot tent, was filled with local arts, crafts, jewelry, and more. There were also games for children.
Food trucks are available during the two-day event.
Sunday schedule
The festival continues on Sunday, and the schedule is as follows.
11:30 a.m. — Rising Stars
12:30 p.m. — Meet Elsa – prizes awarded to the best costumes, stories, songs and dance party. Children, dress in your best prince and princess costumes.
2 p.m. — Justin Bravo & The Kind
3 p.m. — Act Out
4 p.m. — Midnite Rhythm Section
5:30 p.m. — Raffle winners announced & Festival Closing
