Cherry Blossom Festival 2020 Canceled Due To Coronavirus | Belleville – Belleville, NJ Patch

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — UPDATE: The 2020 Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival in Branch Brook Park and all related events have been canceled due to the new coronavirus and spread of COVID-19, officials announced on April 2. The park remains closed to the public. Our original article follows below.

Nestled within Branch Brook Park in Essex County is a historic collection of more than 5,000 Japanese cherry trees. And every spring, they bloom and herald the coming of warm weather, bringing joy to thousands of visitors who turn out for the county’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival.

The beloved festival will return for 2020, with activities taking place from Saturday, April 4 to its climax, “Bloomfest,” on Sunday, April 19. (See a full schedule of events)

The cherry blossom collection at Branch Brook Park is larger than the national display in Washington D.C. It’s one of the most diverse in the country, according to county officials.

Branch Brook Park is distinguished by being the first county park to be opened for public use in the United States. It has been placed on both the New Jersey (1980) and National (1981) Registers of Historic Places.

The trees normally bloom around mid-to-late April. A live camera feed from the park, which is located in Newark and Belleville, can be seen on its website.

Some highlights of the 2020 festival include:

BIKE RACE

Saturday, April 4 – Race through the 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. Registration fees apply. Various races occur throughout the morning.

10K RUN

Sunday, April 5 – Run through the cherry tree groves in this USATF-sanctioned race that benefits Special Olympics of NJ. Registration fees apply to the 10K. Same day registration begins at 8 a.m.

FAMILY DAY AND FUN RUN

Saturday, April 18 – The celebration continues at the Prudential Concert Grove with live performances, children’s activities, fishing derby and more. The 1-Mile Fun Run is free to participate and precedes the Family Day activities.

BLOOMFEST

Sunday, April 19 – Bloomfest! Enjoy a family day in the pink park. A packed schedule of events includes cultural demonstrations, children’s activities, live music food, and more. Free admission from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The festival is hosted by the Essex County Park System. For more information, call 973-268-3500.

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