The 44th annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in San Francisco’s Japantown. This Festival features highlights including the 2011 Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen Program, the Kayo Parade song festival, taiko performances, an arts and crafts fair, a food bazaar, cultural exhibits and demonstrations and a variety of entertainment. On April 17, the Grand Parade begins at 1 p.m. at the Civic Center and ends in Japantown. This year’s co-grand marshals are 98-year-old judo sensei Keiko Fukuda and Hello Kitty. Info: www.nccbf.org.