The Essex County Cherry Blossom festival kicked off on Saturday and runs through April 15.
Runners made their way through Branch Brook Park in Newark on Sunday for the annual Essex County Cherry Blossom 10K run. A bright sun was out but it was a very cold morning and onlookers were, for the most part, still dressed in winter coats.
The cherry blossoms, though they’re not in full bloom, still provided a picturesque backdrop for the runners. Patrons also took the day to sun bathe or cheer on the participants.
“Any chance I can, I sun bathe,” said Ellen Saranovic, of Mahwah, who enjoyed the sun under a blanket as she waited for her son to finish running the 10K.
The park was closed to car traffic during the race but race-watchers and a few others walked into the park and were drawn to the few trees that have started to bloom. Many of the trees have not even started to bud.
The 360-acre park is home to 5,000 trees — the largest collection of cherry blossoms in the country and bigger than the display in Washington, D.C.
The Essex County Cherry Blossom festival kicked off on Saturday and runs through April 15. Other events include:
- Essex County Family Day: from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 14. The event featured live performances, children’s activities, a fishing derby and other events. Admission is free.
- Bloomfest: The festival concludes on April 15 with a family-themed event that runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Winners of the “Why My Essex County Park is Important to Me” essay contest for 4th graders and “Cherry Blossom Poster Contest” for 6th graders will be recognized on stage. Other events include a crafter’s marketplace, cultural demonstrations and children’s activities.
- Giving tree: The non-profit Essex County Parks Foundation sells cherry trees, for a minimum donation of $ 225, for planting at Branch Brook Park. Donors are named on the “Cherry Blossom Giving Tree,” located at he entrance of the Essex County Cherry Blossom Welcome Center. A donation of $ 250 or more earns a leaf on the giving tree, and those contributing at least $ 1,000 get a plaque on the wall.
Reporters Ed Murray and Rob Jennings contributed to this report.
Karen Yi may be reached at kyi@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @karen_yi or on Facebook.