WISCONSIN STATE SOCIETY
THE ANNUAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
A D.C. Tradition Since 1948
Meet our 2025 Cherry Blossom Princess:
Congratulations, Sarah Kidd!
About our 2025 Princess:
Sarah attends Georgetown University and hails from Sussex, Wisconsin. Sarah enjoys soccer, running, music — she plays five instruments and sings — and is a Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra alumnus. She also loves sharing her Wisconsin pride in D.C. and is excited to represent us this year in the NCSS Cherry Blossom Program.
Sarah says, “Growing up in Wisconsin has defined my values in countless ways, and attending school in Washington, D.C. has solidified my knowledge that I am very proud of where I come from. The Midwest instilled in me the importance of humility and hard work, and I carry with me the warmth and kindness that Wisconsinites are known for. I cherish memories of driving through cornfields, rooting for the Packers on Sundays, summer lake days, cheese curds and custard, Summerfest, and the “Wisconsin nice,” — all things that I love and miss about my home state.”
WISCONSIN CHERRY BLOSSOM RECEPTIONS PAST
THE CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
A Tradition Since 1948
The Cherry Blossom Princess Program is a cultural, educational, and professional development program for women leaders ages 19 to 24 held each year during one week of the National Cherry Blossom Festival© in Washington, DC. It is sponsored and managed by the National Conference of State Societies (NCSS), the non-profit, voluntary umbrella association for State and Territorial Societies in the National Capital Area.
Since 1948, State and Territorial Societies along with many Embassies and Consulates in Washington, DC, have enabled more than 3,000 young women leaders from across the United States and world to participate in this program and the celebration of the unique and enduring friendship between the United States and Japan. As Cherry Blossom Princesses, these young women represent their respective states, territories, and countries in both public and private events held each day across the Washington area and engage with leading government, business, arts, media leaders and role models.
At the conclusion of the week-long Cherry Blossom Princess Program, a new United States Cherry Blossom Queen is chosen at the Official Cherry Blossom Grand Ball and Sushi Reception by a random spin of a wheel of fortune from among the Princesses representing States and Territories. The following morning, the newly crowned United States Cherry Blossom Queen and her Japanese counterpart, along with the State, Territory, and International Princesses are invited to participate in the National Cherry Blossom Parade® and the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival.
(Pictured: Rachel Bohn, Wisconsin's 2016 Cherry Blossom Princess, was crowned the Queen of the Cherry Blossom Festival.)