Essex County Eagerly Awaits Cherry Blossoms; Festival Goes Online

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival will be held virtually this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, officials announced.

People who want to check out the estimated 5,000 trees in Branch Brook Park can still visit the park to see the spring bloom, but need to be responsible when they do, officials said.

“The coronavirus pandemic has impacted all of our lives, but it hasn’t stopped our magnificent cherry blossoms from blooming,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

“While we continue to endure through this public health crisis, we encourage you to witness this natural wonder of the world come to life this spring through our series of virtual events,” DiVincenzo said.

He added that residents coming to the park should wear face masks and practice social distancing.

“We are at a crucial time fighting this virus and we cannot let our guard down,” DiVincenzo emphasized.

• See related article: How To Get COVID Vaccines In Essex County (See Latest Updates)

County officials offered a little bit of background about the massive display of cherry blossoms that returns every year:

“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.”

However, after a renewed planting campaign, there are now more than 5,000 cherry blossoms throughout Branch Brook Park.

Those who can't visit the park can view the status of the bloom season on new panoramic cameras, officials stated. They can be accessed at essexcountyparks.org.

"These cameras will bring the cherry blossom season onto the screens in real time so that residents and visitors can witness the breathtaking vistas," officials said.

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 New Jersey and the Branch Brook Park Alliance.

This year’s virtual festival includes the following events.

CHERRY BLOSSOM 10K

The virtual Cherry Blossom 10K can be completed by runners anytime between April 3 and April 18. Runners can register at www.runsignup.com. All racers that complete the 10K will receive the commemorative 2020 medal and a long sleeve race t-shirt.

Musical performers and cultural presentations regularly enjoyed during Bloomfest will be presented on the Essex County Parks System’s Facebook (@essexcountyparks) and Instagram (@essxparks) platforms. Daily videos will present a wide variety of content including historic facts and talks from Branch Brook Park, kid-friendly origami crafts, cultural demonstrations from past Bloomfest presenters and live performances.

WALKING TOURS

Historic walking tours by cell phone 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. This service is free.

TREE PLANTING

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 tree can be purchased for $225 from the Essex County Parks Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit 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. 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 $225 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.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Sign up for Patch email newsletters.