Margate celebrates spring with 4th annual Cherry Blossom Festival

MARGATE – It was perfect timing for the Cherry Blossom Festival this year. All of the Kwanzan cherry trees that line the Parkway section were in full bloom for the fourth annual celebration.

The event held along two blocks near the Margate Community Church drew a festive crowd with lots to do for family and friends.

“This is our fourth year,” Margate Business Association Executive Director Anna Maria Blescia said. “The first year, there was no color and last year there was a typhoon. This is a very organic event and it’s great to see there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”

MBA President Ed Berger said the timing was perfect this year.

“Despite a somewhat dismal forecast, the weather cooperated – it’s not too hot and it didn’t rain. Even the cherry blossoms cooperated.”

Little Francesca Marzilli of Margate said she enjoyed the petting zoo the most. Francesca said she is an animal lover.

“I found an injured bird and brought it back home to heal, but it died,” she said.

Coral Hodak of Egg Harbor Township took a turn spinning the wheel at the ACUA table set up along Environmental Row, where green team members and supporters shared information about the city’s marine environment.

The question she got was “What do you do to help the Earth?”

She was quick to respond, “I pick up trash when I see it,” before continuing that she had a busy day playing soccer in the morning before heading out to the festival with her dad.

She is a first-grader at the Swift School in Egg Harbor Township.

“And, we planted flowers in class for St. Patrick’s Day,” she said.

The event included dancing in the street to the sounds of Dead Reckoning, food trucks, vendors, wine and beer samplings, face painting, and just hanging out on the lawn with friends.