Can you believe that spring is just weeks away? Before you know it, flowers will be in bloom and that means Branch Brook Park is about to come alive with color. You can expect to find over 4,000 cherry blossom trees – the largest concentration of cherry blossom trees in the US! People come from all over to enjoy their beauty and the perfect time to do that is during the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival!

Branch Brook Park is a 360-acre urban oasis. The nation’s first county park, it was founded in 1895.

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In 1927, Caroline Bamberger Fuld, sister of department store magnate Louis Bamberger, donated nearly 2,000 beautiful cherry blossom trees. The lifespan of a cherry blossom tree is just 40-50 years, so that number dwindled over the years.

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Starting in 2006, Essex County began to replenish the trees, which now total over 4,000. In comparison, there are 3,800 cherry blossom trees in the famed Washington D.C. collection.

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What better way to enjoy these trees than by celebrating them? The Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival is held each April. The dates for 2020 are April 4 - April 19.

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Special events during the festival include a bike race, 10K, 1-mile fun run + walk, bus tours, and free walking tours by cell phone. Scan the bar code at each stop or dial 973-433-9047 when at the park. (Phone tours are available all season.)

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Family Day will be held on April 18th from 11-3. Pack a picnic or try the selection offered on-site. Then, enjoy live performances, children’s activities, and a fishing derby.

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The biggest event of the season is Bloomfest, held on April 19th from 11-5. There will be live music, cultural demonstrations, food, and a crafter’s marketplace. Admission is free!

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Sound fun? It is! That’s why thousands travel from all over to enjoy the event. If you’d prefer to take pictures without the crowds, visit after the festival ends but don’t wait too long – blossoms start to fall before the end of April.

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