International Cherry Blossom Festival
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The International Cherry Blossom Festival is held in Macon, Georgia every spring. As Macon is known as the "Cherry Blossom Capital of the World," 300,000 Yoshino Cherry Trees bloom around downtown, college campuses, and the neighborhoods of macon in late March every year. The festival lasts for ten days and features events for people of all ages. The festival is not associated with the National Cherry Blossom Festival held in Washington, D.C.
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[edit] History
Yoshino Cherry Trees are not native to the South. William A. Fickling, Sr., a local realtor, discovered the beauty of the Yoshino Cherry Trees in the middle of the 20th century, and began planting the trees around the neighborhoods of Macon with the help of local citizens. Over the years, the trees became a common sight around the city and grew to become an identifying symbol of the city. Macon celebrated its first International Cherry Blossom Festival in the spring of 1982. Today, the festival has grown to become one of the top 20 best events in the South, top 50 in the United States, and one of the top 100 in North America.
[edit] Annual Events
- Mulberry Street Festival - An outdoor fine arts and crafts show held on Mulberry street in downtown, featuring artists from around the nation.
- International Food Fair - Held with the Mulberry Street Festival in downtown Macon, it sells food from traditions around the world.
- Cherry Blossom Street Party - Bands and performers of rock, blues, country, and other genres play on several stages set up in downtown at night.
- Cherry Blossom Pageant - a Cherry Blossom Queen is chosen every year.
- Balloon Fest - Hot Air balloons lift off and fly over Macon at this event.
- Air Show - held every year at the Macon Downtown Airport, it features impressive aerobatic performances by military airplanes.
- Cherry Blossom Parade
- Ocmulgee Lantern Light Tour - A guided twilight walk through the trails of Ocmulgee National Monument.
- Cherry Blossom Festival Grand Finale - picnics, food vendors, live music, fun family activities, and fireworks.
[edit] Other Events
The Macon International Cherry Blossom Festival also often hold animal shows, concerts, theatrical performances, international showcase events, house tours, fashion shows, galas, luncheons, marathons, dances, fair rides, and bus tours along scenic Cherry Blossom trails.
