Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival Returns: 2018 Event Info

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — April is here. And in North Jersey where more than 5,000 cherry blossom trees wait to bloom in Branch Brook Park, spring also means the return of Essex County’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival.

Essex County officials have released the schedule of events for the 42nd annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival, which will be held from Saturday, April 7 to Sunday, April 15.

Catch a peek at the current state of the trees via the county’s Cherry Blossom Web Cam here.

"The natural beauty of the cherry blossoms has been attracting visitors to the park since they were first planted there in the late 1920s,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said. “We invite the public to come out and enjoy our display of 5,000 trees, which is larger than the national display in Washington DC and the most diverse collection in the world.”

The Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival is hosted by the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. It is sponsored by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ, Panasonic and the Branch Brook Park Alliance.

The following list of events for the 2018 festival comes courtesy of Essex County.

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:

• Date: Saturday, April 7, 2018
• Time: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Place: 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:

• Date: Sunday, April 8, 2018
• Time: Registration at 8 a.m.; 10K race at 10 a.m.; Disabled start at 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 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:

• Date: Saturday, April 14, 2018
• Time: Registration at 9 a.m.; Race at 10 a.m.
• 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. Magician Matt Durham will present two shows at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The fishing derby begins at 12 noon. Admission is free but food and other merchandise will be for sale. The Family Day will be held as follows:

• Date: Saturday, April 14, 2018
• 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 at the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center. 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. Additional musical performances will be held at the Prudential Concert Grove in the Southern Division of the park. Admission is free; food and merchandise will be for sale.

• Date: Sunday, April 15, 2018
• Times: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park. (Main Area) Cherry Blossom Center, Mill Street, Newark, NJ (Second Stage) 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:

• Dates: Wednesday, April 18 to Sunday, April 22
• Times: 11 a.m., 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/branch-brook-park.

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 $225 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.

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