International Cherry Blossom Festival
international cherry blossom festival held macon georgia every spring macon known cherry blossom capital world around – yoshino cherry tree bloom around city late march every year festival held coincide typical blooming period last ten day feature event people age annual event since though edition cancelled due covid pandemic festival associated national cherry blossom festival held washington dc william fickling sr local realtor discovered beauty yoshino cherry tree yard time know tree specie specie native south trip washington dc discovered tree looked identical one growing yard comparing cut sample tree tidal basin discovered matched following discovery fickling began propagate tree give away community became known macon johnny appleseed new resident macon carolyn crayton noticed tree thought beautiful approached fickling picnic spoke planting tree throughout macon start project fickling agreed donate tree would organize planting november first yoshino cherry tree planted community planted around tree wesleyan wood drive along guerry drive oxford road year tree became common sight around city grew become identifying symbol city fickling donated tree crayton idea celebrate fickling tree brought city keep maconbibb beautiful commission worked create event macon celebrated first international cherry blossom festival spring event lasted three day held wesleyan college campus initially meant one time event well received became annual celebration event due covid pandemic th deferred community continues plant yoshinos year tree donated fickling family foundation william ficklings death festival organization started month advance festival time cherry blossom board director staff work planning event securing sponsor working community produce festival volunteer community like think pink committee also contribute festival setting running event approaching day festival staff volunteer make final preparation festival fountain water dyed pink cherry blossom painted around area festival board also work together bibb county sheriff office secure festival going year macon international cherry blossom festival begin ribboncutting ceremony festival often hold animal show concert theatrical performance international showcase event house tour fashion show gala luncheon marathon dance fair ride bus tour along scenic cherry blossom trail event vary year annual event include pink pancake breakfast maconbibb county fire department host breakfast central city park event began serf fundraiser american cancer society mulberry street festival outdoor fine art craft show held mulberry street downtown macon featuring artist around nation international food fair held mulberry street festival sell food tradition around world presented mellow mushroom macon cherry blossom street party band performer rock blue country genre play live music night cherry blossom pageant royal court one queen four princess chosen every year air show held every year macon downtown airport feature aerobatic performance military airplane cherry blossom parade float marching band performer ride around historic downtown macon ocmulgee lantern light tour guided twilight walk trail ocmulgee national monument tune balloon festival finale hot air balloon live music family activity firework close festival take place middle georgia state university macon campus festival visitor world official delegate european country ireland country including taiwan russia uganda visited festival participated parade celebration theme love beauty international friendship jeanpatrick courtois mayor mâcon france visited festival celebrate th anniversary two sister city relationship japan long history macon cherry blossom festival first annual festival representative kurobe macon sister city visited festival year kurobe sent gift festival varying lantern flower every year since macon cherry blossom festival c organization funded primarily sponsor however festival large impact economy macon estimated visitor percent visitor said town year estimated festival alone brought million visitor festival also spend money hotel shop restaurant tourist attraction area benefiting local economy every year overall economic impact festival range million million according university georgia study international cherry blossom festival recognized international festival event association festival haas wilkerson pinnacle award gold silver bronze variety category award festival promotion programming sponsorship merchandise medium campaign community outreach hanami national cherry blossom festival grossman glenn yoshinos macon indigo custom publishing isbn official website