The 50th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival begins Saturday in Branch Brook Park, marking 50 years of an Essex County spring tradition. Thousands of people are expected to gather throughout the weekend beneath a canopy of pink and white blossoms as about 5,300 trees reach peak bloom. “For half a century, our Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival has brought together our local community, provided the public with exciting ways to enjoy the colorful display of our blooming cherry blossom groves and attracted attention from around the globe. We are proud to continue this tradition and invite you and your family to experience this natural wonder that is even larger than the display in Washington, D.C.,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo said last month when he announced the dates for the festival. The festival kicks off Saturday morning at 7 a.m. with the Cherry Blossom Challenge Annual Bike Race, followed by the Cherry Blossom 10K run at 8 a.m. and a 1-mile Fun Run and Walk at 10 a.m. The Essex County Family Fun Day follows at the Prudential Center Concert Grove in Branch Brook Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Sunday, the Bloomfest family event will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the concert grove. Cherry Blossom talks throughout the month of April at the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, a photo contest and guided bus tours round out the calendar of festival events. “We are all excited about spring, and Branch Brook Park is a living landscape and catalyst to elevate our well-being. This 50th anniversary milestone reminds us how woven it is into our daily lives,” Branch Brook Park Alliance Executive Director Thomas Dougherty said. Branch Brook Park has hosted the festival for half a century. The nation's first county park, Branch Brook is located in the North Ward of Newark, between the neighborhoods of Forest Hill and Roseville. Part of the park is also located in the Township of Belleville. The park has the largest collection of cherry blossom trees in the United States, according to the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. More details on the events taking place during the festival can be found on the Essex County website.