Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival 2016 Will Feature 5,000 Trees

There’s a new number to keep in mind for the 2016 Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival… 5,000.

That’s the number of cherry trees that will be blossoming this spring, according to county officials.

The festival – which takes place in Branch Brook Park in Newark - will kick off Saturday, April 9, with a day-long schedule of competitive bike races, and conclude on Sunday, April 24, with “Bloomfest,” a community and cultural fair.

“This time of year, everyone is thinking pink and there is no better place to reflect that that Branch Brook Park,” Assembly Speaker Emeritus Sheila Oliver said. “The beauty of the Cherry Blossoms will put you in a different frame of mind. It’s a destination place.”

“The cherry blossoms are an iconic part of growing up [in Essex County],” Essex County Chief of Staff Phil Alagia said. “So many families can chronicle their stage of life because they came for family pictures, Easter pictures, wedding pictures.”

And for those who can’t make it outside to see the trees themselves, there is now a live video feed of the cherry trees in Branch Brook Park.

• See related article: WATCH: Cherry Blossom Live Feed Launches In Essex County, NJ

The 40th Annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival will include the following events:

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 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:

• Date: Saturday, April 9, 2016
• Time: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park, Heller Parkway, Newark, NJ

Cherry Blossom 10K Run

Run through the historic cherry tree groves in this race that is sanctioned by the USATF. 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. Disabled Run starts at 10:10 a.m. It’s free to enter the park and watch. The Cherry Blossom 10K Run will be held as follows:

• Date: Sunday, April 10, 2016
• Time: Registration: 8 a.m.
• 10K Race: 10 a.m.
• Race for the Disabled: 10:10 a.m.
• Place: 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 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 as follows:

• Date: Saturday, April 16, 2016
• Time: 8 a.m. Registration
• 10 a.m. Race
• Place: 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. Admission is free but food and other merchandise will be for sale. The Family Day will be held as follows:

• Date: Saturday, April 16, 2016
• Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park, Southern Division, Prudential Concert Grove, Newark, NJ

Bloomfest

Enjoy a family day in the pink park! A packed 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 as follows:

• Date: Sunday, April 24, 2016
• Times: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park, Cherry Blossom Center, Mill Street, Newark, NJ

Cherry Blossom Guided Tours

Have knowledgeable guides take you on a 45-minute journey and point out over 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 daily at 11 a.m., 12 Noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Transportation around the park is provided. Tickets are $5 person and can be reserved by calling 973-433-7469. Tickets also will be available for purchase in the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center on days the tours are being held. Space is limited. For group or private tour bookings, call 973-433-7469. The Trolley Tours will be held as follows:

• Dates: Sunday, April 17th through Saturday, April 23rd
• Times: 11 a.m., 12 Noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
• Place: 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.

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 link. More information can also be obtained by calling 973-433-9047.

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

Cherry Tree Planting Campaign

The general public and business community can participate in a fundraising campaign to purchase and plant Cherry Trees in Essex County Branch Brook Park. Each new Cherry Tree can be purchased for $250 from the Essex County Parks Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Contributions to the foundation are tax-deductible, checks can be made out to “Essex County Parks Foundation” and mailed to the Essex County Parks Foundation, 115 Clifton Avenue, Newark, NJ 07104. Please write “Cherry Blossom Campaign” on the memo line of the check.

Donations are being recognized in a “Cherry Blossom Giving Tree” located at the entrance of the Essex County Cherry Blossom Welcome Center. Donations of $250 are recognized with a leaf on the Giving Tree and donations of $1,000 or more are recognized with special plaques on the Giving Tree wall. Donors can choose to have their name inscribed on the Giving Tree or make the contribution in memory of a loved one.

Sign up for Patch NJ email newsletters here.