Guide to Cherry blossom festivals in Greenport and Stony Brook

Spring arrives on Long Island as the pink and white of cherry and pear trees overtake the winter landscape. And local festivals celebrate the joys of cherry blossoms — while they last.

"It is ephemeral; that's what's so magical about it," says Peter Clarke, owner of Clarke's Garden and Home, one of more than 30 establishments joining the monthlong Greenport Cherry Blossom Festival and Petal Tour celebrations. "It is the peak essence of spring. The rain comes and the trees turn green and grow and grow and then one of them starts blooming and all of a sudden they all follow and then in just weeks it's gone. It is poetic in so many different ways."

With more than 300 blossoming cherry (and pear) trees packed into 1 square mile, the Village of Greenport will dazzle from late April to late May. The Greenport festival, organized by AgroCouncil, a nonprofit supporting the North Fork region (Riverhead to Orient) farming community, enhances the experience with a map (print versions available at AgroCouncil and participating organizations and a new digital version is online agrocouncil.org) identifying every tree by location and varietal. The map will also highlight the vendors offering blossom-themed events and deals, including cocktails, crafts and performances. For the first time, there are discounted hotel stays with add-on amenities so visitors can do it all.

The beauty of the cherry blossoms may be fleeting, but these festivals make lasting memories for Long Islanders.

Self-guided tour in Greenport

The Greenport festivities kick off April 26, with the fourth annual Run for the Petals 5k. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and yoga at 8:30 a.m. at Third Street Park. But the events don't end at the finish line.

The run is followed by brunch at American Beech, where runners who bring their bibs get 20% off their meal (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.).. Their signature festival drink is Cherry Blossom sangria (sparkling rose, citrus, cherry puree, fruit, $17), also available at a special happy hour with live music at the hotel's cocktail bar, Black Llama (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.). The sangria will be available through May.

Next door, Clarke's Garden and Home embraces cherry blossom season with special products: intricate hardwood bookmarks, Kyoto cherry blossom incense, cherry blossom tea, actual cherry blossom decorative branches and even a cherry tree growing kit ($12 to $20), while supplies last.

Down the street, Special Effects Salon, Spa & Tea provides complimentary cherry blossom cookies with every cherry blossom tea service and cherry blossom nail art during manicures ($35-$75). First time participant Floyd Memorial Library will distribute free themed "take and make" bags for crafting on site or bringing home.

For overnighters, The Menhaden on Front Street offers a 15% "Spring in Bloom" discount for select dates through May (restrictions apply). An additional Petal & Pour Package (additional $100) includes local chocolates, wine, a bouquet from Clarke's and late checkout. "It is the perfect pairing of charm and luxury, crafted in honor of Greenport's Cherry Blossom festivities," general manager Mario Corrado says.

Cherry blossom festivals in the United States owe their inspiration to Japan, where hanami or flower viewing has been celebrated for centuries. The Japanese Folk Institute of New York presents a live music and dance performance at Holy Trinity Church in Greenport at 1:30 p.m. May 3,  sponsored by CAST (Center for Advocacy, Support and Tranformation).

Sakura Matsuri at Stony Brook University 

Farther west, The Japan Center at Stony Brook University honors Japanese traditions in a modern way with Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival) on April 27 from noon to 5 p.m. at Charles B. Wang Center. Visitors can enjoy the trees, taiko drums, koto plays, traditional dancing, martial arts demonstrations and more. Contemporary manga drawing and cosplay round out the mix of hands-on and spectator activities. This year, the popular ikebana flower arranging demonstrations by Toyomi Sobue , director of the Japanese Culture Center in Roslyn Heights will include the chance to purchase the arrangements (starting at $100) beginning at 1:30 p.m.

"Ikebana is a beautiful art form that blends human creativity with the natural beauty of flowers to create something truly captivating," says Sobue .  "For me personally, it is an art that appeals to people by combining the beautiful colors and shapes of flowers with intentionally unbalanced arrangements and the use of empty space."