Nation’s largest cherry blossom tree collection readies for 50th annual festival in N.J.

Essex County will celebrate the 50th annual Cherry Blossom Festival at Branch Brook Park from April 4 to April 19

The park’s 5,300 cherry blossom trees are the largest collection in the United States.

The two-week celebration will include races, cultural performances, family activities and a photo contest commemorating the festival’s half-century history.

Cherry Blossom Competition Annual Bicycle Race

History: Saturday, April 4

Time: from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park, Oval, North Division, Newark

Cherry Blossom 10K Run

A portion of the race revenues are transferred to the Special Olympics. Online registration can be done at: www.compuscore.com. Same day registration starts at 8 am. Advanced registration is recommended. The race starts at 10.00

History: Sunday, April 12

Time: Registration: 8am

10K Race: 10 am

Disabled Start: 10:10

Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park, Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, Newark

1 Mile Fun Run and Walk

History: Saturday, April 18

Time: Registration at 9am; 10am Race

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

Essex County Family Day

Events include live performances, children’s activities and more. Participants are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch or purchase food from on-site vendors. Admission is free but food and other items are for sale.

History: Saturday, April 18

Time: 11:00 – 15:00

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

Flower Festival

The event includes cultural demonstrations, children’s activities, live music, artisan market, food and more at the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center. Additional musical performances will be held at the Prudential Concert Grove in the South Section of the park. Admission is free; Food and goods will be sold.

History: Sunday, April 19

Times: 11:00 – 17:00

Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park. Main Area: Oval, North Division, Heller Parkway, Newark. Stage Two: Southern Division, Prudential Concert Grove, Newark.

50th Annual Flower Photography Contest

As part of the 50th Anniversary of the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival, Essex County has launched its ’50 Years of Flowers’ Photo Contest. This competition is a celebration of memories, traditions and community.

From April 1 to April 12, residents and visitors are invited to submit their favorite cherry blossom photos.

Selected winners will receive a family membership to the Turtle Back Zoo along with a special Essex County gift bag. Winners will be invited to accept their awards on stage at Bloomfest on Sunday, April 19 at 11:00 am.

Photos should be submitted via social media using #50YearsOfBlossoms and tagging the following accounts:

• Instagram Tag: @JoeDEssexCounty and @EssexParks

• Facebook Tag: Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. and the Essex County Park System

All photos submitted to the contest will become the property of Essex County and may be used in the future to promote the Essex County Parks System, the Essex County Branch Brook Park, or the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Cherry Blossom Talks

Join the staff at the Essex County Parks Archives to learn more about the history of Essex County Branch Brook Park and its historic cherry blossom tree collection. All meetings will take place at 11:00 am at the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center. No pre-registration required. Cherry Blossom Talks will take place as follows:

Dates: On Wednesdays, April 1, 8, 15 and 22; Saturdays, April 3, 10 and 17

Times: 11 am

Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park, Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, Newark

Guided Bus Tours

Park historians offer 50-minute guided tours of Branch Brook Park. Guides will point out historic features of the Olmsted-designed park and share stories of the largest collection of cherry blossom trees in the United States! For more information or to book a tour, email mmcfarlane@parks.essexcountynj.org or call 973-735-6231.

Historical Tours via Mobile Phone

This free, self-guided historical walking tour is accessible via mobile phone or smartphone all season long. Spend your day exploring all 72 tour stops or pick and choose your favorites. Calling 973-433-9047 or scanning the barcode at each tour stop unlocks a world of park history and horticultural information. The tour is now also available in Spanish.

History, directions, a full list of events and a webcam where the public can watch the cherry trees at the height of their blooming season are available by visiting www.essexcountynj.org/branch-brook-park.

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

Cherry Tree Planting Campaign

The general public and business can participate in a fundraising campaign to purchase and plant cherry trees at Branch Brook Park in Essex County. Each new Cherry Tree can be purchased for $225 from the Essex County Parks Foundation, a nonprofit organization.

Contributions to the foundation are tax deductible. Checks can be made out to “Essex County Parks Foundation” and mailed to Essex County Parks Foundation, 115 Clifton Avenue, Newark, NJ 07104. “Cherry Blossom Campaign” should be written in the memo line of the check.

Donations are accepted at the “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 names written on the Giving Tree or donate in memory of a loved one.

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