Bloomfest Cherry Blossom Festival

This past Sunday was the Cherry Blossom Festival in Newark NJ's Branch Brook Park. More than 4000 cherry blossom trees bloom throughout the park. During this week long event, the park holds bicycle races and 10k's. Everything came to an end on Sunday where the park had a slew of vendors and performances to commemorate the event.

The park invited vendors to come teach children arts and crafts as well as have small businesses come sell their products.

Of course, the flowers...

They were just at the beginning of their bloom. It was an amazing sight. 

The first performers were the 10tecomai's Yosakoi Dance Project based out of New York. It was their first time performing at this festival, and I think it's safe to say they'll definitely be invited back next year. 

If anyone wants to know what the inside of a colorful hot air balloon looks like...

The next performance was Cobu Taiko Drum & Dance Troupe. They had e a mixture of children and adults doing intricate drumming sequences and dance. They rocked the stage...literally.

Tomofuji Kai takes it back with some traditional Japanese dancing.

Last but not least were Samurai Sword Soul. I must say, the sword-play was pretty weak, but what can you really expect with fake swords. What won it for me was the act they put on and the story line that was played out. It had action and humor all in one.  

Now THAT'S how you die.