Margate Cherry Blossom Festival Set for May 4 Celebration

It’s time again to bask in the warmth of the sun, toss aside the winter blues, don your funkiest tie-dye t-shirts, dress like a Storm Trooper or your favorite Star Wars character, and welcome the rebirth of spring! On Sunday, May 4, the Margate Business Association, in conjunction with the Margate Community Church, Sustainable Downbeach, and Margate Recreation, will celebrate spring’s timely arrival with their 3rd annual Cherry Blossom Festival presented by The Pet Salon.

The free, family-friendly event will feature kid’s games and activities, a petting zoo, Tai Chi lessons, Mother’s Day Flower Sale, live music by local favorites Dead Reckoning, Wawa giveaways, tasty treats courtesy of area food trucks, Banfi wines, spirits and beer for purchase and sampling, arts and crafts, and at 2 pm, turn your furry friend into a four-legged Chewbacca or Yoda during the Pet Salon ‘May the Fourth Be with You’ Star Wars themed dog costume contest on stage.

A host of environmental exhibitors including NJDEP AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador, the ACUA, South Jersey Surfrider Foundation, Reeds Farm, Busy Bees, The NJ Native Plant Society, Clean Ocean Action and Jacque Cousteau Estuary Research Reserve and other attractions will provide valuable information on how to keep our environment protected and preserved.

There will be plenty of food and beverage choices to satisfy any appetite, with food trucks by local favorites such as Tacocat, California Shakes, Margate Clam Shack, and Muffin Top’s Asian-Vietnamese specialties. Newcomers to Cherry Blossom Kanto Filipino BBQ, DonutNV, Squeezies Lemonade, and Philly Pretzel Factory add an eclectic, savory mix to the festival. Top off the day with a sweet treat from For Goodness Cakes. Quench your thirst at the beer garden or try a refreshing beverage to taste or purchase from Margate Gardens Wine and Spirits and Mr. Fingers Alibi Gin.

Longtime sponsors Renewal by Anderson, Colmar Home Center, Leafguard, and Cutco Cutlery will be on site with their latest products to enhance anyone’s home. Margate businesses, Stacy’s Surf Camp and Lips and Drips, will share information and have activities. Talented crafters East Coast Fairy Hair and face painter Alissa Dirato will show off their creations and creative spirit. Dayna Troiano Pet Services will be on hand to talk about training your pooch. Check out the newest models in golf carts courtesy of South Jersey Electric Vehicles.

The Margate Cherry Blossom Festival will be held from 12 pm – 4 pm on Ventnor Ave. between Sumner and Union Aves, directly in front of the Margate Community Church. Everyone is encouraged to bring chairs or blankets to spend the afternoon enjoying the fresh air, groove to Grateful Dead hits until 3:30 pm, and relax with friends and neighbors.

For decades, the scores of cherry blossom trees that align the Memorial Parkway in Margate have been a symbol of seasonal renewal and hope for sunnier days ahead as their delicate pink and white blooms burst onto the scene and finally say goodbye to winter.

For more information, go to www.margatehasmore.com.