21 Mar ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR 49th ANNUAL ESSEX COUNTY CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL Essex County’s Cherry Blossom Collection is the Largest in the Nation RWJBarnabas Health to be Recognized as Gold Sponsor
Published on March 21, 2025
Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. outlined the schedule of events for the 49th annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival on Friday, March 21st. The festival will be held from Saturday, April 5th to Sunday, April 13th, highlighting the blooming season of the 5,300 Cherry Blossom trees in Essex County Branch Brook Park. The County Executive also welcomed RWJBarnabas Health as a Gold Sponsor; it is the first time the health care network is sponsoring the Cherry Blossom Festival.
“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 5,300 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 RWJBarnabas Health as our Gold Sponsor. RWJBarnabas Health has been a tremendoud partner and resource for us. 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.
”RWJBarnabas Health has deep roots in Essex County, with three hospitals serving the area, and we take great pride in caring for its residents,” said Mark E. Manigan, President and CEO, RWJBarnabas Health. “This festival not only showcases Branch Brook Park, but also provides opportunities for physical activity, education and environmental stewardship – tangible demonstrations of the shared commitment between our health system and the county to fostering a vibrant and thriving community for all who live, work and visit here,” he said.
“The best part of the cherry blossoms in bloom are the memories that families create and it’s wonderful to share these moments,” Senate Majority Leader and Deputy Chief of Staff Teresa Ruiz said.
“This is one of the best times of the year. I always find a reason to drive through Branch Brook at this time of year because the trees are a source of enjoyment and respite,” Commissioner President Carlos Pomares said.
“This is the most beautiful time of the year in the park, but it is open 12 months of the year. I encourage residents to take time out and enjoy the beauty of the park and enjoy the season,” Parks Director Dan Salvante said.
“I am excited for Cherry Blossom season. People come to Branch Brook to celebrate because its beautiful, but also because we make it safe. It’s a labor of love for our officers,” Sheriff Amir Jones said.
“The Cherry Blossom Festival is a very special event and is one of the large destination events in the City of Newark. We all know how the park is transformed during bloom season but it also brings an economic boost to our community,” Newark North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos said.
“I am always looking forward to this time of year because it’s like the unofficial start to spring,” Belleville Mayor Michael Melham said.
“Standing in front of the Cherry Blossom trees is where many of our lives’ cherished moments unfold. In addition to the beauty of the park, the festival is an opportunity to celebrate and thrive because of the tourism,” Branch Brook Park Alliance Chairman Thomas Dougherty said.
The 49th 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 5, 2025
Time: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park
Oval, Northern Division
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 6, 2025
Time: Registration: 8 a.m.
10K Race: 10 a.m.
Disabled Start: 10:10 a.m.
Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park
Cherry Blossom Welcome Center
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 while supplies last. The Fun Run and Walk will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
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 12, 2025
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. XFINITY is providing sponsorship support for Bloomfest. Admission is free; food and merchandise will be for sale. Bloomfest will be as follows:
Date: Sunday, April 13, 2025
Times: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park
Main Area: Oval, Northern Division
Heller Parkway, Newark, NJ
Second Stage: Southern Division, Prudential Concert Grove
Newark, NJ
Cherry Blossom Talks
These 30-minute talks will include information about the history of Cherry Blossom trees in the United States, the types of trees that have been used, how the trees have been incorporated into the landscape and the history of Branch Brook Park. No reservations are needed. The Cherry Blossom Talks will be held as follows:
Dates: Wednesdays, April 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2025
Saturdays, April 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2025
Times: 11 a.m.
Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park
Cherry Blossom Welcome Center
Newark, NJ
Historic Tours by Cell Phone
This free, self-guided historic walking tour can be accessed by cell phone or smartphone all season long. 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. The tour is now available in Spanish.
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.
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 5,300 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, six 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.