Cherry Blossoms Are Blooming In Essex County As Popular Festival Nears

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Looking to shake the winter blues and get some fresh air in Essex County? Here’s your chance – the popular annual cherry blossom festival at Branch Brook Park.

The highly anticipated celebration will take place from April 1 to April 16, and will feature a bike race, a 10K run, a fun run/walk, local talks, historic cell phone tours and a family day (see schedule below). The 2023 festival will culminate with the annual “Bloomfest,” which will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 16.

The festival returned in 2022 after a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

What's so special about the collection of cherry blossom trees at the park, which is located in Newark and Belleville (but attracts visitors from across the region)? According to officials:

“Essex County Branch Brook Park to enjoy the most diverse collection of Cherry Blossom trees, even larger than the national display in Washington, DC. The blossoming trees create a picturesque setting that transforms the park into a stunning spring fantasyland.”

County officials previously said:

“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 Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. 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 webcam where the public can monitor the cherry trees can be accessed by visiting www.essexcountynj.org/branch-brook-park.

If you’re looking to catch the trees at “peak bloom” this year, it’s expected to happen between April 1 and April 5, according to the Essex County Park System.

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There are two recurring events/attractions that will be returning this year:

CHERRY BLOSSOM TALKS – “Join us every Wednesday in April at 11 a.m. for Cherry Blossom Talks. These 30-minute talks will discuss the history of cherry blossom trees in the United States, how cherry blossom trees grow, and the history of Essex County Branch Brook Park’s cherry blossoms. Talks will be held at the Essex County Belleville Park Senior Center. Enjoy the fresh air, beautiful scenery, and interesting topics.”

HISTORIC CELL PHONE TOURS (available all season) – “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 phone call unlocks a world of park history and horticultural information. !Ahora ofrecida en espanol! 973-433-9047.”

Here’s what else is in store for the 2023 festival.

Cherry Blossom Challenge Bike Race

• Saturday, April 1st
• 7am – 1pm
• Oval, Northern Division
• https://essexcountyparks.org/parks/branch-brook-park/calendar/cherry-blossom-challenge-bike-race

Cherry Blossom 10K Run

• Sunday, April 2nd
• 10am – 12pm
• Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, Extension Division
• https://essexcountyparks.org/parks/branch-brook-park/calendar/cherry-blossom-10k-run

1-Mile Fun Run/Walk

• Saturday, April 15th
• 10am – 11am
• Concert Grove, Southern Division
• https://essexcountyparks.org/parks/branch-brook-park/calendar/essex-county-one-mile-fun-run

Essex County Family Day

• Saturday, April 15th
• 11am – 3pm
• Concert Grove, Southern Division
• https://essexcountyparks.org/parks/branch-brook-park/calendar/essex-county-family-day

Bloomfest

• Sunday, April 16th
• 11am – 5pm
• *NEW LOCATION* Oval, Northern Division and Concert Grove, Southern Division
• https://essexcountyparks.org/parks/branch-brook-park/calendar/bloomfest

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