Hundreds of visitors flocked to the Washington D.C. tidal basin Monday (3-19) to take advantage of the earlier than normal peak bloom for the district’s iconic cherry blossoms.

This year marks one hundred years since the Japanese shared the trees with the U-S. More than one million people are expected to travel to the district to check them out.

Festival officials expect this week to be busiest for locals, with crowds getting heavier into April when spring break and the Easter holiday arrive.