<p>Women ride on a float in the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in this 1926 autochrome. The festival, which celebrates the arrival of spring, began in 1924 and continues to this day.</p>

Belles of the Blossoms

Women ride on a float in the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in this 1926 autochrome. The festival, which celebrates the arrival of spring, began in 1924 and continues to this day.

Photograph by CHarles Martin, National Geographic

‘Tis the Season to Be Blooming: 16 Photos Celebrating Spring

It’s that vernal equinox time of year: From flowers to festivals, here are some of our favorite National Geographic photos of spring.

At long last, it’s the first day of spring, and to celebrate we’ve picked some of our favorite photos of this balmy, blossoming time of year. Whether the daffodils are ready or not, spring in the Northern Hemisphere officially starts with the vernal equinox on March 20. So click through to see what the season has in store.

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