Cherry Blossom Festival off to a rainy but active start

WILKES-BARRE — The Cherry Blossom Festival in Kirby Park kicked off Friday night, with amusement rides and carnival games being set up for public interaction. It was just a preview of the full festivities — including music and dozens of food vendors — which will begin on Saturday.

Though the rain fell steadily in the early evening, the crowd was building and the workers were in full force.

A man named Sebastian was helping his friend operate an airsoft target shooting game, and it was his first time doing so in a Northeast Pennsylvania carnival atmosphere. He was instantly complimentary of the experience.

“So far, it seems really nice,” Sebastian said of the festival. “You all have a really nice park.”

Torrey O’Brien was operating a different game across the parking lot from Sebastian, but it wasn’t his first time at Kirby Park.

“Yesterday, when we were setting up, there was definitely a lot more people in the park than usual when we set up,” he said.

And then there was Jennifer Flick, another experienced game operator who represents a familiar face to those who make their way to a lot of the spring and summer events in Luzerne County.

Flick said she is worried about the weekend weather but was still looking forward to everything the Cherry Blossom Festival has to offer. It’s a needed relief, she said, as the temperature becomes more fair and people start to leave their homes.

“Tonight, even with this little bit of rain, it feels really nice out here,” Flick said. “I look forward to trying to get away from the game and going down and listening to some of the music and stuff, and trying different food.”

Saturday event lineup

• Northeast Region Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Cherry Blossom 5K Walk or Run will kick off the day. Registration is from 8:30 to 10 a.m. The Fun Run starts at 10 a.m. For information, visit specialolympicspa.org.

• Live entertainment at the Martz Pavilion will begin with a 10 a.m. celebration of World Tai Chi Day.

• Tommy Guns Band will perform from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

• Daddy-O & the Sax Maniacs will perform from 4 to 7 p.m.

Sunday event lineup

• Wyoming Valley Striders 50th Annual Cherry Blossom 5-Mile Run begins at 9 a.m. Visit www.wyomingvalleystriders.com for information.

• Chase Who? will perform from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

• The Traveling Wilkes-Barreans will perform from 4 to 7 p.m.

Amusement rides

• Huey’s Amusements will have family-friendly rides in the Kirby Park parking lot.

• Amusement ride tickets on Saturday and Sunday are $1.50 each, $15 for 12 tickets, and $25 for 24 tickets; $40 for 48 tickets, and $75 for 96.

A variety of food and retail vendors will also be on hand both days.