20 Mar ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR 50th 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 20, 2026
Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. outlined the schedule of events for the 50th annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival on Thursday, March 19th. The festival will be held from Saturday, April 4th to Sunday, April 19th, 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 second time the health care network is sponsoring the Cherry Blossom Festival.
“For half a century, our Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival has brought together our local community, provided the public with exciting ways to enjoy the colorful display of our blooming Cherry Blossom groves and attracted attention from around the globe. We are proud to continue this tradition and invite you and your family to experience this natural wonder that is even larger than the display in Washington, DC,” DiVincenzo said. “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,” 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 back RWJBarnabas Health as our Gold Sponsor. RWJBarnabas Health has been a tremendous 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.
“We are thrilled to be supporting this initiative that brings people together and promotes wellness. The key to long-term health benefits does not belong solely in hospitals but in events like this that bring people together and promote the outdoors,” said Margie Heller, Senior Vice President, Community & Global Health, RWJBarnabas Health.
“With all the negative happening at the national level, I can’t wait for the feeling that the Cherry Blossoms in bloom bring. We need joy, grace and humanity, and to remember the harmony and peace that these trees bring to people from around the globe who visit here,” Senate Majority Leader and Deputy Chief of Staff Teresa Ruiz said.
“I am happy today because today is the last official day of winter. This festival is great because it brings together the community. It’s one of the most favorite things in the parks that we do,” said Commissioner President Carlos Pomares, who was joined by Commissioners Wayne Richardson and Len Luciano.
“We are all excited about spring and Branch Brook Park is a living landscape and catalyst to elevate our well-being. This 50th anniversary milestone reminds us how woven it is into our daily lives,” Branch Brook Park Alliance Executive Director Thomas Dougherty said.
“My fondest memories of Branch Brook Park are with my family. Coming here was like a family vacation. I want to thank Joe D for making this incredible investment in this park. Now that I live next to Branch Brook, I get to see the many people who come and enjoy seeing the Cherry Blossoms,” said Newark North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos, who was joined by Newark At-Large Councilman Luis Quntana.
“The Cherry Blossom Festival bring economic development and helps fuel our local economy as well as being a great social activity and reason to enjoy the outdoors,” Belleville Mayor Michael Melham said.
The 50th 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 4, 2026
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 12, 2026
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 18, 2026
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 18, 2026
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. Bloomfest will be as follows:
Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026
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
50 Years of Blossoms Photo Contest
As part of the 50th Anniversary of the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival, we are excited to launch our “50 Years of Blossoms” Photo Contest. This contest is a celebration of memories, tradition, and community.
From April 1st through April 12th, residents and visitors are invited to submit their favorite cherry blossom photos, whether it’s a treasured family photo from decades past or a recent snapshot capturing the beauty of this year’s blooms. This contest is a unique opportunity to reflect on how this beloved Essex County tradition has brought generations together under the cherry blossoms.
Selected winners will receive a family membership to the Turtle Back Zoo along with a special Essex County swag bag. Winners will be invited to accept their prize on-stage during Bloomfest on Sunday, April 19th at 11 a.m.
We encourage everyone to take part, share their stories, and help us celebrate 50 years of blossoms, beauty, and community here in Essex County.
Please submit your photos via social media using #50YearsOfBlossoms and tagging the accounts below:
- Instagram Tag: @JoeDEssexCounty and @EssexParks
- Facebook Tag: Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. and Essex County Park System
All photographs submitted into the contest become the property of Essex County and may be used in the future to promote the Essex County Parks System, Essex County Branch Brook Park or the Cherry Blossom Festival.
Cherry Blossom Talks
Join staff from the Essex County Parks Archives to learn more about the history of Essex County Branch Brook Park and the historic cherry blossom tree collection. All talks take place at 11 am in the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center. No pre-registration is required. Cherry Blossom Talks will be held as follows:
Dates: Wednesdays, April 1, 8, 15 & 22, 2026
Saturdays, April 3, 10 & 17 2026
Times: 11 a.m.
Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park
Cherry Blossom Welcome Center
Newark, NJ
Guided Bus Tours
Book one of our knowledgeable Park Historians to lead your bus group on a 50-minute guided tour through Branch Brook Park. Guides will ride along with you, pointing out the historic features of this Olmsted-designed park and sharing stories of the largest cherry blossom tree collection in the United States! For more information or to book a tour, email mmcfarlane@parks.essexcountynj.org or call 973-735-6231.
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 24 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.
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