2016 Cherry Blossom Festival

With the mild weather Branch Brook Park trees have started to blossom and that means it's almost time for Cherry Blossoms! 2016 Calendar of events is below:

• Cherry Blossom Challenge Bike Race
  Saturday, April 9; 7am – 1pm; $30-35
  Race through the Park in the Cherry Blossom Challenge, an official NJBA event!  Various races occur throughout the morning. Cash prizes! Registration fees apply to racers. Come cheer on the cyclists while enjoying a day in the park. Free to enter the Park and watch! Download application
   
• Cherry Blossom 10K Run
  Sunday, April 10; 10am – 12pm; $19-22
  Race through the historic cherry tree groves in this USATF-sanctioned race! The first 500 registrants will receive a commemorative Cherry Blossom 10K Run long-sleeved T-shirt. The top three finishers in each age category will receive a commemorative fleece jacket. A portion of the race proceeds benefit the Special Olympics. Same day registration begins at 8am. Advanced registration is recommended. Race starts at 10am.  Disabled Run starts at 10:10am. Free to enter the Park and watch! 10k Applicaton
   
• One-Mile Fun Run/Walk
  Saturday, April 16; 10am – 11am; Free
  In 2015, over 1,000 children aged 6 through 14 ran through Branch Brook Park to celebrate the blooming of the historic cherry tree groves. Many then stayed into the afternoon to enjoy activities, crafts, and performances at our Family Day event held directly after in the Prudential Concert Grove section of the park. Children can enter individually on race day. All participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt and an award at the completion of the race.
   
• Essex County Family Day
  Saturday, April 16; 11am – 3pm; Free
  Visit the recently renovated and landscaped concert grove to enjoy an afternoon outdoors with your family. Test out your hula hooping, work out in our paddle boats, construct a craft, get your face painted, our grab food from one of many food vendors. Other family activities include a fishing derby that runs from 12:00 to 2pm with the award ceremony at 2:30pm. The main stage entertainment will be contortionist Jared Rydelek with two shows at 11:00am and 3:00pm. 
   
• Bloomfest!
  Sunday, April 24; 11am – 5pm
  Enjoy a family day in New Jersey’s pinkest park! A packed schedule of events includes Japanese cultural demonstrations, children's activities, live music, a crafter's marketplace, food, and more.

Guided Historic Park Tours
Sunday, April 17 through Saturday, April 23 (11am, 12noon, 1pm and 2pm)
*No tours will be offered on Bloomfest! Sunday, April 24th