Cherry blossoms peak bloom expected early to mid-April

Cherry blossoms at Branch Brook Park in Newark and Belleville are predicted to reach their peak bloom between early and mid-April 2025. This beautiful display will cover the park's 360 acres in shades of pink and white. The Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival is happening from April 5 to April 13. Peak bloom usually occurs during the second and third weeks of April. Visitors should monitor the Branch Brook Park Alliance's "Bloom Watch" for the latest updates, as weather can impact the bloom timing. In addition to viewing the blossoms, the festival will feature various activities. These include the Cherry Blossom 10K Run on April 6 and Essex County Family Day and a 1-Mile Fun Run on April 12. The final day, April 13, will host Bloomfest! with live music, crafts, kids' activities, and Japanese cultural demonstrations. Visitors can enjoy lunch under the blooming trees or take an audio tour to learn about the cherry trees. To avoid crowds, it is best to visit during the weekdays or early weekend mornings. The cherry blossom tradition in Branch Brook Park started in 1927 when Caroline Bamberger Fuld donated 2,000 trees to honor her husband. Now, over 5,000 trees can be seen in the park, with colors ranging from white to vibrant pink. The first Cherry Blossom Festival took place in 1976. Branch Brook Park is open daily from sunrise to 10 p.m., with free parking available. For festival and bloom updates, visitors can check essexcountyparks.org and branchbrookpark.org.