UPDATE 12/14 – Here are scenes from yesterday’s Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival.
April 10 Post begins below.
Image From Piotr R. Olszewski Reported previously on the Roosevelt Island Residents Association ( RIRA ) third annual Cherry Blossom Festival to take place Saturday April 13:
… Our Third Annual Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled for under the Cherry Trees in front of Goldwater Hospital. The vendor organization Japan Block Fair will provide food and vendors. From 10:00am-7:30 pm Rain or Shine our promenade leading to Southpoint Park will teem with wonderful Japanese food and fare. Performances will take place at Four Freedoms Park. You will be able to hear the music you have enjoyed with some wonderful new additions. If the weather is bad everything comes inside. If you are interested in working on the committee or volunteering please contact us at
Roosevelt Island Cherry Tree Row By Goldwater Hospital Seen From The Tram in 2012 The date is soon upon us and RIRA has sent out this invitation to everyone:
Travel to Japan when you attend The Third Annual Cherry Blossoms Festival, featuring multiple Japanese cultural, food and shopping activities, on Roosevelt Island on Saturday, April 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The East River Promenade and its cherry blossom trees are the setting for a street fair with booths of food, merchandise and nonprofit organizations from 10:00 am to 7:45 pm.
World class music performances will take place from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at FDR Four Freedoms Park.
Highlights include:
- Special activities for children: origami, calligraphy, Manga drawing
- Traditional Japanese food for purchase
- Folk and classical Japanese music performances
- Women dressed in kimonos and men wearing traditional Japanese clothing
- Traditional tea ceremony.
All activities are FREE and open to the public.
Savor a wine tasting and food pairing from the Culinary Lab at Gallery RIVAA (527 Main Street), from 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm, for a suggested donation of $30.
Image From T he Culinary Lab via Gallery RIVAA RIRA’s Social Cultural& Educational Committee Chair Lynn Strong Shinozaki adds:
The Roosevelt Island Residents Association welcomes neighbors and visitors alike to enjoy the beauty of the cherry blossom trees and experience diverse aspects of Japanese culture.
Here are some scenes of Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival 
from prior years.
You Tube Video of Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival Musical Performance
You Tube Video of Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival More here.