A digital scavenger hunt inspired by cherry blossom season has gotten underway in Ballston.
Floral sidewalk decals for Bloom Hunt, coordinated by the Ballston BID and the immersive art gallery Artechouse DC, appeared in the neighborhood earlier this week. Participants have until Sunday to scan the decals with Artechouse’s app, unlocking digital, blossom-inspired artwork for a chance to win prizes.
“There are five markers strategically placed throughout Ballston, each unlocking a distinct XR activation,” a Ballston BID spokesperson told ARLnow. “Together, these locations create an interactive trail that invites participants to explore the neighborhood and engage with immersive digital cherry blossom artworks.”
Interactive floral art moves across a user’s mobile screen when the decals are scanned on the Artechouse app. A colorful flower stem and dancing cherry blossom emerged from two decals spotted and scanned today (Thursday).
Once a user scans their first decal, the app shows a map of the four remaining locations. After participants find all the markers to make a “digital bouquet,” they are eligible to enter a drawing for prizes like restaurant gift cards, gift boxes, “class packs” from participating businesses, and free tickets to Artechouse DC’s reopening.
The art gallery has been closed for renovations at 1238 Maryland Avenue SW since last year and is slated to reopen this year.
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Part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the promotion began April 4 at the Petalpalooza celebration in Navy Yard. After Ballston, the hunt will make appearances in D.C.’s Adams Morgan neighborhood from April 14-19 and in Rosslyn from May 2-9.
More events are happening in Ballston this week to celebrate cherry blossom season. Ballston Quarter will sport floral installations through Sunday, and a Ballston BID pop-up market is scheduled there tomorrow (Friday) from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
