Sweet-smelling pink blossoms have begun to make an appearance in Greenport Village as the annual Cherry Blossom Festival Petal Tour and Run for the Petals 5K gets underway. The festival, organized by the nonprofit AgroCouncil, benefits the Village of Greenport Tree Committee and the Village of Greenport Business Improvement District and has two big events on tap for this Saturday.
The festival kicks off with a 5K run/walk that begins at Third Street Park adjacent to the firehouse. Organized again this year by Nicki Gohorel, run/walk registration opens at 8 a.m., followed by a yoga session for runners at 8:30 a.m. The race starts at 9 a.m. rain or shine, with runners following a route through the village. The cost of the race is $35 in advance or $40 day-of race; sign up information can be found here.
After the race, pick up a Cherry Blossom Petal Tour map at a participating business and take a self-guided tour of the village’s blossoming trees, which include eight varieties: kwanzan cherry, pear, okame cherry, yoshino cherry, crabapple, snow goose cherry, sargent cherry, and red bud cherry. According to Deborah Rivera Pittorino, founder and organizer of the festival, the bloom spans parts of April and May, depending on the weather and the type of tree. “This event is mother nature dependent,” she remarks.
Over two dozen participating shops and restaurants will offer cherry blossom-themed specials and a month-long series of activities are planned, including crafts and coloring for kids at the Floyd Memorial Library. “There’s incredible creativity on the merchants’ part in offering themed items,” says Rivera Pittorino. “Aldo’s does a cherry blossom latte that is off the charts. The participating restaurants do great cocktails….and Blue Duck has gorgeous cupcakes.”
Keeping the theme going are custom manicures featuring cherry blossom designs ranging from $35-$75 by Special Effects Tea Salon and Spa, jazz guitar tunes and drink specials at Black Llama Bar, and pink hibiscus tea served at Tea and Tchotchkes.
Next weekend on Saturday, May 3 at 1:30 p.m. the Japanese Folk Institute of New York will present a costumed performance by Minbuza, a Japanese folk dance group, followed by refreshments. A flower hat workshop is offered at 2:30 p.m. for all ages. Both events are free and take place at Holy Trinity Church, 768 Main Street, Greenport, and are hosted by CAST.
Veme Studios will present a cherry blossom painting activity on Thursday, May 18 from 3-4 p.m., instructing participants how to decorate clothing, shoes or bags with floral patterns.
“The festival is a great excuse for people to get out of the house—it’s been a long winter,” says Rivera Pittorino. “They can take a stroll, look at the trees and stop in to support a local business. That’s the meaning of community.”
For more information and a full list of participating businesses, check the AgroCouncil’s website here.
