Cherry blossom festivals happening in Greenport and Stony Brook this spring
The cherry trees that loom over Greenport's Third Street Park and Playground are in full bloom. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
Greenport may get its biggest crowds in summer, but cherry blossom season is when it is at its most alluring. The already-charming seaside village becomes an enchanted garden of pink and white blossoms gracing more than 300 trees in one square mile. And as the season progresses, blushing petals float in the air like fairy dust and the roads and sidewalks are carpeted in magic.
The Greenport Cherry Blossom Festival Petal Tour celebrates this special season with a self-guided tour of the spectacle.
Mikey O'Brien, 2, from Greenport and his sister Audrey, 4, run through the Third Street Park in Greenport. Credit: Randee Daddona
Think of it as an entire village turned botanical garden. Yes, it is a walkable flower show, but it also offers 29 opportunities to stop for cherry blossom-themed refreshments and shopping. Pick up the free Petal Tour map for the location and varieties of every blossoming cherry and pear tree in the village, as well as the participating vendors offering cherry blossom-themed beverages, edibles and novelty items. Get the map at AgroCouncil at Greenporter Hotel, (326 Front Street, 631-500-0850, info@agrocouncil.org) or at participating merchants or download it at villageofgreenport.org.
There have been cherry blossom festivals in the village before — the first trees were planted in the late '80s by the late Mayor Charles W. Hubbard — but the Petal Tour began in 2019. It took a year off during the pandemic and came roaring back in 2021.
“Last year, people wanted to be outdoors,” says Deborah Pittorino, founder of Greenporter Hotel and AgroCouncil. “Being in nature comforts people. But it goes beyond trees; all the businesses are celebrating the season together as a community, and that is important.”
NEW THIS YEAR
This year's tour has some new features. It kicked off on April 30 with the first Run for the Petals 5K. The AgroCouncil is now offering a commemorative T-shirt ($20) available at Greenporter Hotel and at Greenport Harbor Brewery where you can also order a Blossom Beer Cocktail — a light-bodied beer infused with a cherry hue and flavor ($7, only at the Greenport location, 234 Carpenter Street, 631-477-1100)
Seven new merchants are new this year including The Weathered Barn, an artisanal lifestyle shop, offering a limited-edition, handcrafted cherry blossom soy candle with a fragrance blend of pink Japanese cherry blossom, mimosa flower petals, vanilla, tonka bean and artisanal woods ($20, 41 Front St., 631-477-6811).
To celebrate the Village of Greenport's Cherry Blossom Festival, the Weathered Barn Lifestyle Boutique on Greenport's Front Street is offering Cherry blossom-scented soy candles. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
Hook & Net — a fishmonger and takeout/outdoor eatery — joins the party with a homemade cherry lime lemonade ($4) and blackened cod or scallop over mixed greens with candied pecans, goat cheese, cherries pickled in-house, and scallions with a cherry pomegranate vinaigrette (market price, available through May 8, 414 First St., 631-477-0055).
Ralph’s Italian Ices of Greenport is featuring several cherry-themed ices and ice creams, plus the Cherry Blossom Supreme Sundae: three scoops of cherry-flavored ice creams topped with fudge or syrup and, of course, a cherry on top ($6.25, 37 Front St., 631-592-8391).
To celebrate the Village of Greenport's Cherry Blossom Festival, Blue Duck Bakery is offering cherry blossom-themed cupcakes and layer cakes. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
Returning this year are the cherry blossom cupcakes ($4.50) and small layer cakes ($23.95 5-inch and $31.95 7-inch) by Blue Duck Bakery Cafe (130 Front St., 631-333-2060). They are only available at the Greenport location so, “call ahead and order,” says owner Nancy Kouris.
WHEN TO GO
Words to the wise: The Cherry Blossom Festival usually runs into early June, but different varietals blossom at their own pace — not all at once. Late in the season, a good storm can strip the trees all at once so don’t delay. “You can’t control Mother Nature,” says AgroCouncil’s Deborah Pittorino. Additionally, Greenport restaurants may have limited opening hours in the offseason.
Proceeds from the AgroCouncil map will be split between The Village of Greenport’s Tree Committee and the Business Improvement District Beautification Committee, both of whom work toward keeping Greenport leafy.
Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival) at the Charles B. Wang Center
Sakura is Japanese for cherry blossom — the unofficial flower of Japan. Hanami — or viewing parties — are conducted all over Japan for the fleeting days of spring when they bloom.
Since 1999, martial arts studio Ryu Shu Kan Japanese Arts Center in Farmingville has brought the cherry blossom celebration to Long Island as a way for Sensei Gerard Senese and his wife, Hiroko Uraga-Senese, to introduce Japanese culture to their students. Now in its 22nd edition, their Sakura Matsuri has grown to become an anxiously awaited one-day banquet of Japanese food, music, dance and traditions — and even manga cosplay — that welcomes around 500 visitors each year.
This rain-or-shine festival has been hosted at Stony Brook University’s Charles B. Wang Center since 2007. The center is landscaped with around 40 Kwanzan trees, arguably the most dramatic of Japan’s 12 varietals. The trees frame the day’s many activities: taiko drum performances which begin outside and make their way in; Koto plays, Japanese traditional dances, martial arts demonstrations, ikebana flower arranging and tea, manga and origami workshops plus much more for all ages.
This festival is coproduced by the Japan Center at Stony Brook University and the Ryu Shu Kan Japanese Arts Center.
May 7, noon to 5 p.m.; Charles B. Wang Center, 100 Nicoll’s Road, Stony Brook, 631-632-4400. Admission: $30 (general), $20 (students/seniors), $10 (children ages 6 to 12)
