Cherry Blossom Fest Celebrating Mill River Park Progress This Saturday

In 1926, Junzo "Junior" Nojima moved from Japan to Stamford and, over the next 30 years, fell in love with the city. He even opened one of the first Japanese-owned restaurants in the state. On April 27th, 1957, Nojima planted 100 cherry trees in Mill River Park and personally cared for them years after.

As Mill River Park underwent revitalization, the original trees planted by Nojima had cuttings taken from them. The Stamford Tree Foundation took these cuttings and cultivated them into 8-foot tall trees carrying the same lineage as the originals.

This Saturday, a huge festival will be filling the lot next to the park for the first annual Cherry Blossom Festival being billed under the new Mill River Park. The park itself is still undergoing phase-one construction, but the lot next door lends to showing off some of the new highlights being constructed.

Stages, tents, activities, demonstrations, arts and crafts will be set up throughout the space at Washington Blvd. and W. Park Pl. for people to come and enjoy.

PERFORMANCES

11:40

12:00

12:30 

1:00 

1:45 

2:15 

WORKSHOPS - Click on a desired time to sign up to participate in the following workshops:

Manga Workshops with Misako Rocks, world famous graphic novelist 

Representatives of the Mill River Collaborative sadly warned folks the actual cherry blossoms had bloomed early this year because of the mild winter.

"We're looking forward to next year having all the trees in bloom in a timely manner instead of weeks early," said Milton Puryear, executive director at the Mill River Collaborative. "We're looking forward to the new beginning."

Puryear said the blossoms were iconic of the Stamford park even when it was in a bit of disrepair and wasn't being cared for as it should have been.

"They were the most valued thing in the park," he said. "If you asked anyone at the time what was good about the Mill River Park, people would say those trees. Outside of those two weeks, people wouldn't get out of the car at the park."

Puryear said during construction and renovation of the river's path, some interesting things have been found.

"A shopping cart used to stick right out of the water," said Nia Rhodes, Director of Programs and Outreach at the Collaborative.

"We Found two car engines, a truck door, refrigerators, mattresses, motorcycles, TVs," Puryear said. "It because a way to make things disappear you didn't want to look at anymore. Now we're trying to make the site a focal point."