WASHINGTON (DC News Now) -- The National Cherry Blossom Festival wraps up this weekend with a big parade on Saturday. It's a showcase of talent from across the country in D.C. Friday night, dozens of dancers practiced at the University of the District of Columbia ahead of the big day. "I ju st love spring. Like it's when everything's blooming. It's just so wonderful, like seeing all the colors and people. It's just amazing," said 14-year-old Kami Freeman from Claymont, Del. It's hard work preparing for the opening and closing performances. Dancers from Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania met for the first time Friday, just one day before they'll perform together. "At my home studio, Perna Dance Center, we've been rehearsing and practicing and now we get to come together and do it all together for the first time," said 16-year-old Sadie Cizin from Hazlet, N.J. Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival to impact traffic in Northwest DC The blossoms may have turned green, but there's no shortage of love for the season. "The whole festival is about joy and spirit of renewal and appreciation," said Diana Mayhew, president and CEO of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The teens from across the country certainly embody that. "Very excited for all the crowds and everything. I love to dance and perform. This is a very big deal for me," Cizin said. "I just love performing in front of people and just giving to the community," Freeman said. In addition to these dancers, people watching the parade are in for a treat. "Lots of fun performances. Our grand marshal is Ken Jennings, as well as, we have mini Mickey Mouse coffee and aerial wonderful giant helium balloons, Hello Kitty, Shrek," Mayhew said. The parade steps off Saturday morning on Constitution Avenue at 10 a.m. ...read more read less