Cherry Blossom Festival Blooms in Essex County This Weekend

Tired of a long winter and looking to celebrate the onset of spring?

The 39th Annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival will kick off this weekend, with events taking place from Saturday, April 11, to Wednesday, April 22.

The long-running festival will feature a bike race, 10k run, “Family Day” and guided tours.

According to a release, Essex County will plant 1,000 new trees this spring in Branch Brook Park in Newark, bringing the total number of cherry trees in the public park to 5,000.

The $610,718 project is being funded through the Essex County Capital Budget.

“The colorful display of the cherry blossoms throughout Branch Brook Park will be greatly enhanced with the planting of [the] trees,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo stated in a release.

“When we started our replanting program seven years ago, it was always our goal to have our collection reach 5,000 trees. This will make the transformation each spring more dramatic and ensure the Cherry Blossoms remain a feature of Branch Brook.”

The festival features several events:

Cherry Blossom Challenge Annual Bike Race

On Saturday, April 12, participants can race through Branch Brook Park in the “Cherry Blossom Challenge.” Various races occur throughout the morning, with the first race at 7 a.m. and the last race at noon. Registration fees apply to racers, but spectators can watch for free. The race will be held in Essex County Branch Brook Park, Heller Parkway in Newark.

Cherry Blossom 10K Run

On Sunday, April 12, participants can run through the historic cherry tree groves. A portion of the race proceeds benefit the Special Olympics. Online registration can be done here. Same day registration begins at 8 a.m. Advanced registration is recommended. The race starts at 10 a.m. The Disabled Run starts at 10:10 a.m. Spectators can watch for free. The race will be held at the Branch Brook Park Cherry Blossom Center, Mill Street in Newark.

Mile Fun Run and Walk

Children are encouraged to run individually or as a member of a school team. Schools and groups must register in advance by calling 973-268-3500. This is a free event. All participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt. The Fun Run and Walk will be held on Saturday, April 18. Registration will take place at 8 a.m.; the race will begin at 10 a.m. The event will be held at Essex County Branch Brook Park, Southern Division, Prudential Concert Grove in Newark.

Essex County Family Day

The public event will feature a variety of entertainment, including live performances, children’s activities, a fishing derby, food vendors and more. Admission is free. The Family Day will be held on Saturday, April 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Branch Brook Park, Southern Division, Prudential Concert Grove in Newark.

“Bloomfest”

The schedule of events includes cultural demonstrations, children’s activities, live music, a crafter’s marketplace, food and more. Winners from the “Why My Essex County Park is Important to Me” essay contest for 4th graders and “Cherry Blossom Poster Contest” for 6th graders will be recognized on stage. Admission is free; food and merchandise will be for sale. Bloomfest will be held on Sunday, April 19, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Branch Brook Park, Cherry Blossom Center, on Mill Street in Newark.

Cherry Blossom Guided Tours

Guides take visitors on a 45-minute tour and describe 120 years of history hidden within Essex County Branch Brook Park’s structure and design. Tours leave from the Essex County Cherry Blossom Welcome Center on the hour. Transportation around the park is provided. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center on Mill Street on the tour dates. Space is limited and available on a first come, first serve basis. Call 973-268-3506 to inquire about group tour bookings. The Trolley Tours will be held from Wednesday, April 15 to Wednesday, April 22. No tours will be given on Sunday, April 19.

Cell Phone Tours

Visitors to Essex County Branch Brook Park can enjoy a self-guided tour by dialing 973-433-9047 and following the prompts, or by using their smart phone to scan the bar codes at each of the 72 locations to connect to a short history of the park and horticultural information. There is no charge for the cell phone tour.

History, driving directions, a complete list of activities and a web cam where the public can monitor the cherry trees for the peak of the bloom season can be accessed by visiting www.essexcountynj.org and clicking on the Cherry Blossom banner at the top of the home page. More information can also be obtained by calling 973-268-3500.

The Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival is hosted by the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, and is sponsored by Aetna and Prudential.

Send Essex County news tips and press releases to [email protected]