24 Mar ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR 47th ANNUAL ESSEX COUNTY CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ Returns as Premiere Festival Sponsor
Published on March 24, 2023
Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. outlined the schedule of events for the 47th annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival on Friday, March 24th. The festival, which will be held from Saturday, April 1st to Sunday, April 16th, highlights the blooming season of the 5,200 Cherry Blossom trees. The County Executive also welcomed Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ as the Premiere Sponsor.
“The natural beauty of the cherry blossoms has been attracting visitors to the park since they were first planted there in the late 1920s. The festival has helped unify the community, highlighted the benefits of Branch Brook Park and the local neighborhood, and enabled the public to enjoy the blooming trees in a variety of ways,” DiVincenzo said. “We invite the public to come out and enjoy our display of 5,200 trees, which is larger than the national display in Washington, DC, and the most diverse collection in the world,” he added.
“We have an exciting line-up of activities where visitors can admire the beauty of the trees, learn about the history of our Parks System and engage in Japanese cultural demonstrations. The blossoming trees create a pink and white canopy that is perfect for picnics, photographs and simple enjoyment,” the Executive said. “We also want to welcome Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ as our premiere sponsor. The support we receive from our corporate neighbors is instrumental in helping us stage activities that highlight the natural beauty of our parks and engage the community,” he added.
“On behalf of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, we are proud to once again be sponsoring the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival. Our mission is to empower people to maintain their best health and encouraging people to enjoy this wonderful display in Branch Brook Park is part of that mission,” said Filomena Machleder, Senior Program Officer with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.
“What we are doing here is creating economic opportunity for our small business community. We are thankful for all the work being done by the County Executive to steward the land and welcome all the visitors who come here to celebrate life’s precious moments,” said Branch Brook Park Alliance Executive Director Thomas Dougherty.
“It is extraordinary to see the volume of people who come to enjoy Branch Brook Park this time of year. W should never take for granted this extraordinary open space,” Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz said.
“Growing up, it was a treat to come to the park and experience the beauty of the trees. Now I get to see all the splendor and the tens of thousands of people who visit from my front porch. Thank you to Joe DiVincenzo for making Branch Brook Park a great destination,” Newark North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos said.
Commissioner Patricia Sebold said her son was traveling to Washington, DC, and was looking forward to seeing the national display. “I told him that meant nothing because we have more cherry blossom trees right here in Essex County Branch Brook Park,” she said.
“We are the cherry blossom capital of the world. The beauty of the trees put us on the map. People are amazed that thousands of people travel to Branch Brook Park each day to view our cherry blossoms,” Sheriff Armando Fontoura said.
“We love what the cherry blossom display does for Belleville and the surrounding areas. It brings people into our community and helps with our local economy,” Belleville Mayor Michael Melham said.
The 47th Annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival includes 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 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 1, 2023
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 2, 2023
Time: Registration: 8 a.m.
10K Race: 10 a.m.
Disabled Start: 10:10 a.m.
Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park
Cherry Blossom Center Fields
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 15, 2023
Time: 9 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 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 15, 2023
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. 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. Because of the ongoing construction of the new Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, Bloomfest will be as follows:
Date: Sunday, April 16, 2023
Times: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park
Main Area: Northern Division, Oval
(Where the fireworks are held.)
Heller Parkway, Newark, NJ
Second Stage: Southern Division, Prudential Concert Grove
Newark, NJ
Cherry Blossom Talks
These 30-minutes talks will include information about the history of Cherry Blossom trees in the United States, how Cherry Blossom trees grow and the history of Essex County Branch Brook Park. No reservations are needed. Because of the ongoing construction of the new Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, the Cherry Blossom Talks will be held as follows:
Dates: Wednesdays, April 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2023
Times: 11 a.m.
Place: Essex County Belleville Park
Senior Citizen Building
343 Belleville Avenue
Belleville, 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.
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 and the Branch Brook Park Alliance.
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 $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.
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. County Executive DiVincenzo kicked off an aggressive planting program to strengthen and expand the number of cherry trees. To date, there are more than 5,000 cherry blossoms throughout Branch Brook Park.
The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system established in the United States. The Park System consists of more than 6,000 acres and has 23 parks, five reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, Treetop Adventure Course, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range, two miniature golf courses, five off-leash dog facilities, a castle and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens. Branch Brook Park was created in 1895 and is the first park in Essex County’s system. At 359.72 acres, it is the largest county park in Essex.