Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival Returns For 2019 (UPDATED)

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The signs of spring are arriving in North Jersey, including Essex County’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival.

The 2019 incarnation of the festival will kick off Saturday, April 6 and run until Sunday, April 14. Events will take place at Essex County Branch Brook Park, located in Newark and Belleville. (Learn more about this year’s festival here)

Can’t make it to this year’s festival? Want to see how the park’s looking before you visit? Check out a live feed from the county’s “Cherry Blossom Web Cam” here.

The collection of 5,000 trees in Branch Brook is larger than the national display in Washington DC, and is one of the most diverse in the country, county officials stated.

According to Essex County officials:

"Many of the original Cherry Trees planted in Branch Brook Park were donated to the Essex County Park System by the Bamberger and Mrs. Felix Fuld family in 1927. At its height, there were about 2,500 Cherry Trees in Branch Brook Park. According to the Branch Brook Park Alliance, the original Cherry Trees began to die because of old age and, in 2006, it was determined the original collection had diminished significantly. County Executive DiVincenzo kicked off an aggressive planting program to strengthen and expand the number of cherry trees. To date, there are more than 5,000 cherry blossoms throughout Branch Brook Park."

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/branch-brook-park.

This year, the festival’s popular “Bloomfest” is set for Sunday, April 14 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free, family-friendly event will include Japanese cultural demonstrations, children's activities, live music, a crafter's marketplace and food. Learn more about this event here.

Other events for 2019 include bike races, a fun run and a family day. Learn more about each individual event here, and watch a video from the 2018 festival below.

Cherry Blossom Challenge Annual Bike Race

Race through Branch Brook Park in the Cherry Blossom Challenge, a competitive New Jersey tradition, or cheer on the cyclists while enjoying a day in the fresh, spring air. Various races occur throughout the morning, with the first race at 7 a.m. and the last race at 12 Noon. Registration fees apply to racers. It’s free to enter the park and watch. The Cherry Blossom Challenge Bike Race will be held as follows:

• Saturday, April 6, 2019
• 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Essex County Branch Brook Park, Heller Parkway, Newark, NJ

Cherry Blossom 10K Run

The Cherry Blossoms provide a beautiful canopy for runners as they make their way through Branch Brook Park. A portion of the race proceeds benefit the Special Olympics. Online registration can be done at www.compuscore.com. Same day registration begins at 8 a.m. Advanced registration is recommended. Race starts at 10 a.m. It’s free to enter the park and watch. The Cherry Blossom 10K Run will be held as follows:

• Sunday, April 7, 2019
• Registration: 8 a.m.
• 10K Race: 10 a.m.
• Disabled Start: 10:10 a.m.
• Essex County Branch Brook Park, Cherry Blossom Center, Mill Street, Newark, NJ

1-Mile Fun Run and Walk

Celebrate the arrival of spring and get fit with your family or friends. Children are encouraged to run individually or as a member of a school team. Schools and groups must register in advance by contacting Jacquelyn Matthews at jmatthews@parks.essexcountynj.org. This is a free event. All participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt. The Fun Run and Walk will be held as follows:

• Saturday, April 13, 2019
• 9 a.m. Registration
• 10 a.m. Race
• Essex County Branch Brook Park, Southern Division, Prudential Concert Grove, Newark, NJ

Essex County Family Day

The public is encouraged to come out and enjoy an afternoon of family-fun with a variety of events including live performances, children’s activities, a fishing derby and more. Bring your own picnic lunch or purchase food from vendors who will be on site and enjoy the picturesque views overlooking the lake. The Chris Clark Bike Show will be held at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The fishing derby begins at 12 noon; awards will be presented at 2:30 p.m. Admission is free but food and other merchandise will be for sale. The Family Day will be held as follows:

Saturday, April 13, 2019

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Essex County Branch Brook Park, Southern Division, Prudential Concert Grove, Newark, NJ

Cherry Blossom Guided Tours

Have knowledgeable guides take you on a 45-minute journey and point out the history hidden within Essex County Branch Brook Park’s structure and design. Tours leave from the Essex County Cherry Blossom Welcome Center. Transportation around the park is provided. Tickets are $8 person. Reservations are required and can be made at essexcountyparks.org. The Trolley Tours will be held as follows:

• April 18, 19, 20, 22, 26 & 27, 2019
• 10 a.m., 11 a.m. & 12 Noon
• Essex County Branch Brook Park, Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, Mill Street, Newark, NJ

Historic Tours by Cell Phone

This free, self-guided historic walking tour can be accessed by cell phone or smart phone. Spend the day exploring all 72 tour stops or pick and choose your favorites. One call to 973-433-9047 or a scan of the bar code at each tour stop unlocks a world of park history and horticultural information.

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