NEWARK, NJ – Preparation for the 34th Annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival kicked off with a press conference today, and it was announced that $2.5 million will go toward improving Essex County Branch Brook Park.
Several state and county dignitaries were in attendance for the announcement of the festival's event line-up as well as the unveiling of three improvement projects for the park.
Calendar of Events:
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. Registration fees apply to racers. It’s free to enter the park and watch.
Date: Saturday, April 10
Time: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Branch Brook Park
10K Run
Run through the cherry tree groves in this USATF-sanctioned race that includes a competitive 10K Run, a 1-Mile Children's Fun Run and a Race for the Disabled. A portion of the race proceeds benefit the Special Olympics. Registration fees apply to runners. It’s free to enter the park and watch.
Date: Sunday, April 11
Registration: 8 a.m.
Fun Run: 9 a.m.
10K Race: 10 a.m.
Race for the Disabled: 10:10 a.m.
Location: Branch Brook Park
Branch Brook Park Alliance Cherry Blossom Gala
Support the conservancy group that works hand-in-hand with the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs by attending their spectacular gala at Nanina's In The Park restaurant, Belleville. Prudential is a sponsor of the Cherry Blossom Gala. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call 973-268-2300 or visit www.branchbrookpark.org.
Date: Tuesday, April 13
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Nanina’s In The Park
240 Franklin Avenue Belleville, NJ
Nature Photography Workshop
The Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs proudly presents a workshop series with the Essex County Nature Photographers to celebrate Essex County Blooms. Learn to photograph different flowers at their peak while enjoying a day in the park! Dates and topics include: April 17 – Cherry Blossoms; May 22 – Irises; June 19 – Roses. All levels of experience are welcome. Space is limited. Fee: $35 per session or $90 for the three-part series. Please call (973) 239-7072 or e-mail
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Dates: Saturdays, April 17, May 22 and June 19
Times: 9 a.m.
Location: Branch Brook Park – First Session
Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, Mill Street
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. Admission is free.
Date: Sunday, April 18
Times: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Branch Brook Park, Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, Mill Street Newark, NJ
Susan G. Komen North Jersey Race for the Cure
Join 10,000 women, men and children in Essex County Branch Brook Park, Newark in the fight against breast cancer in a 5K race/walk. For more information or to register, please call (908) 277-2904 or visit www.komennorthjersey.org.
Date: Sunday, April 25
Time: Registration: 7 a.m., event: 8 a.m.
Location: Branch Brook Park
Essay Contest for Essex County 4th Graders
Enter to win the "Why My Essex County Park is Important To Me" Essay Contest and read your entry on stage at Bloomfest on Saturday, April 18th. Deadline to enter is Monday, March 15th. For information, call 973-239-2485.
"Today we are celebrating our 4,100 cherry trees. It reminds us that having a place where families can come and have a wonderful day of recreation, leisure and making memories is important," said Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver.
This spring, 600 cherry and other trees will be planted throughout the park through a $416,889 contract awarded to Andy Matt, Inc. of Mine Hill, NJ. Upon completion, the park will have approximately 4,100 cherry trees, more than the national display in Washington, D.C.
Co-Chair of Branch Brook Park Alliance Barbara Bell Coleman said visitors will be able to see flowering trees of weeping cherries, single blossoms and double blossoms in colors ranging from pale pinks to bright royal burgundy.
"This is a beautiful place and will only become more magnificent," said Sheriff Armando Fontoura. "I've been coming to Branch Brook Park all my life and this natural display is important in many of our lives."
Branch Brook Park is the largest in the county, and many of its original cherry trees were donated to the Essex County Park System by the Bamberger and Mrs. Felix Fuld family in 1927. At its prime, there were about 2,500 cherry trees in the park.
But according to the Branch Brook Park Alliance, the original trees began to die because of old age. In 2006, it was determined that the original collection had diminished significantly. Essex County's original cherry trees are about 80 years old, 10 years longer than the average lifespan.
"Since we discovered our cherry tree groves were in a state of decline several years ago, we have planted more than 4,000 new cherry trees to restore and expand this natural treasure in Essex County Branch Brook Park," said Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr.
The park's second improvement project will include paving the roadway, upgrading walking paths and installing historic lighting in the section between the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center and Heller Parkway.
A publicly bid contract for $926,000 to AJM Construction LLC of Garfield is scheduled to be presented to the Board of Freeholders for review at an upcoming meeting. The work will be funded with grants from the NJ Green Acres program and the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund.
The third project includes paving the park roadway from Mill Street to Washington Street. A contract for $680,000 to Tilcon Paving is scheduled to be presented to the Board of Freeholders for review. This will be funded through the Community Development Block Grant program.
The Essex County 34th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival is set to begin Saturday, April 10 and will continue through Sunday, April 25 with a variety of activities. Aetna life insurance is the main sponsor of the festival this year and contributed $50,000.
“We are honored to be the premiere sponsor of the Cherry Blossom Festival and help preserve such an important asset for the community,” said Jay Sheey, head of Aetna’s Labor and Public Sector Business.“Our sponsorship is a reflection of our commitment to giving back to the communities where we live and work.”
This year’s activities at the festival will include a bike race, 10K run, gala, nature photography workshop, Bloomfest, Susan G. Komen North Jersey Race for the Cure and essay contest for Essex County fourth graders.
“Anyone raised in the community can testify the park is the natural backdrop of many memories – Communions, baseball games, family picnics,” said Senator Teresa Ruiz. “The economy of today is difficult so it is important for our natural resources to be open, free and able to meet the needs of our residents.”
Members of the public and corporations can contribute to the fundraising campaign purchasing and planting cherry trees in the park. Each new tree can be purchased for $250 from the Essex County Parks Foundation, a non-profit organization. Contributions to the foundation are tax-deductible, and checks can be made out to “Essex County Parks Foundation” and mailed to the Essex County Parks Foundation, 115 Clifton Avenue, Newark, NJ 07104.
Donations are being recognized at 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. Donors can choose to have their name inscribed on the “Giving Tree” or contributions can be made in memory of a loved one.
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