Macon Blooming Cherry Festival

Like everything else, Mother Nature is hard to predict. The ornamental Yoshino cherry tree (Yoshino) native is not at all from Macon, Georgia, USA. William A. Fickling (Sr.), a local realtor, discovered beautiful Yoshino cherry trees in his own yard. On a trip to Washington, D.C., in 1952, he saw a tree that was similar to the ones growing in his yard. After comparing samples taken from each tree, he found that they matched. Carolyn Creighton, who had recently settled in Macon, also noticed these trees and thought they were beautiful. She discussed with Mr. Fickling about planting trees throughout the city of Macon. To start the project, Fickling even agreed to donate her trees if she would organize such an action.

On Saturday, November 24, 1973, the assembled locals planted about 500 Yoshino cherry trees, the first trees planted along Wesleyan Woods, Gury and Oxford Road. Over the next few years, the trees became a familiar sight in the town and gradually became a symbol of the town.

In the spring of 1982, Macon celebrated its first International Cherry Blossom Festival. Now this festival is held annually in the city, and the city itself has become known as the "Cherry Blossom Capital of the World". About 300,000 Yoshino cherry trees bloom in the city center, university campuses, and Makon neighborhoods every year in late March. Approximately 300,000 to 350,000 cherry trees of this species stand out in this city.

The festival lasts ten days and includes activities for people of all ages. It is not affiliated with the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington. City officials and residents graciously invite everyone to join in their festivities. It has become a tradition with a variety of fun activities, concerts, exhibitions, outdoor arts and crafts fairs with food, recreation, entertainment and more. The trees themselves can be purchased in Central City Park during the festival.