Cherry Blossoms 2013

Branch Brook Park will soon be alive in pink with Cherry Blossoms. Here are the events that kick-off next week.

Trolly Tours

Friday 4/5, 4/12 12-4; Sun 4/7 1-4; Sat 4/13 12-4; Fri-Sun 4/19-21 12-4
$5/pp - purchased at the Welcome Center
Have our knowledgeable guides take you on a 45-minute journey, pointing out 118 years of history hidden within Essex County Branch Brook Park's structure and design.

Cherry Blossoms PhotoWorkshop Series

April 6th - 9am-1pm
Celebrate the arrival of spring by honing your photography skills in the cherry tree groves in Newark. Call 973-377-6454 to register.

Cherry Blossom Challenge: Annual Bike Race

April 6 - 7am First Race
Race through the Park in the Cherry Blossom Challenge, an official NJBA event and a 2012 Garden State Cup 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.

Cherry Blossom 10K Run

April 7 - 8am
$22 Pre-registered, $25 general
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. The health and wellness expo will open at 9am and remain open until the awards ceremony concludes. Free to enter the Park and watch!

Cherry Blossom Bike Tour

April 7 - 1pm and April 14 - 12pm
Meeting at the Prudential Concert Grove between the lions. The course is about 8 mostly flat leisurely miles long, and you'll walk your bikes through cherry groves at the halfway point. It's easy for beginners and kids. The park is closed that morning for a 10k run and roadblocks should be lifted by noon. If roadblocks are up, park in the cathedral parking lot. The closest entrances are on Clifton Avenue and Park Avenue. Afterward head down to the Ironbound for some food and sangria!

Bloomfest

April 14 - 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. Below is the schedule of the day.

Main Stage
11:00 am - 10tecomai: Yosakoi Dance Project
12:00 pm - Welcome Ceremony
1:00 pm - Cobu Taiko Drum & Dance Troupe
2:00 pm - Tomofuji kai Dance Troupe
2:30 pm - Samurai Sword Soul
3:30 pm - Tomofuji kai Music Group
4:00 pm - Nihon Goshin Aikido with Self Defense Aikido, LLC

Cultural Demonstration Tent
11:00 am - Traditional Japanese Dance with Masayo Fujii
11:30 am - Ikebana Flower Arrangements with Madam Nobuko Novak
1:00 pm - Urasenke Tea Ceremony with the Urasenke Chanoyu Center of NY
2:30 pm - A reading from the American Haiku Poets
3:00 pm - Calligraphy with Master Tsuyoshi Takamori
4:00 pm - Kuni Mikami and East of the Sun Jazz Group

Children's One Mile Fun Run/Walk

April 20 - 9am
Kids 6-14
Celebrate the arrival of spring and get fit with your family. Register for a fun one-mile run/walk through the Southern Division of Branch Brook Park and through the newest groves of cherry trees. All children will receive a commemorative t-shirt. School and group participation is encouraged!

More Info: www.essexcherryblossom.com/