Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1492931
LOCAL BUZZ Celebrating 41 years of the "Pinkest Party on Earth!" MARCH 17-26, 2023 For 10 magnificent days, guests from all around Georgia, the country, and the world will visit Macon, touted by the Congressional Records as the "Cherry Blossom Capital of the World," to celebrate the beauty of the Yoshino cherry trees. Festivalgoers will cheer for 41 years of the festival by enjoying the Cherry Blossom Trail; participating in iconic, community-focused events; and joining in the fun of new programming. So put on your pink and join Macon residents and visitors as we celebrate the festival's founding principles of love, beauty, and international friendship! CAROLYN CRAYTON PARK WEEKLONG ENTERTAINMENT With a daily admission of $10, visitors will get close to half a million dollars in free entertainment at Car- olyn Crayton Park (CCP). The Nightly Concert Series is back with headliners like The Sugarhill Gang, Eli Young Band, Yacht Rock Revue, Mother's Finest, and more. Thanks to a grant from the Peyton Anderson Foundation, the Festival at CCP will also include a special series featuring local acts to honor Macon-Bibb County's Bicenten- nial Celebration. FESTIVAL FINALE Macon Pops will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. on March 26 before the fireworks show lights up the sky at 8:30 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy some fan-favorite festival food vendors. There will be two hot air balloons with $10 tethered balloon rides, weather permitting, from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. SPECIAL ADMISSION RATES This year's specialty days at CCP will return, including Heroes Day, hon- oring local first responders and mili- tary members and their families with free admission; Two for $2 Off Tues- day, for $2 off gate admission when donating two applicable items to All About Animals; State Employee Day, in which State of Georgia employees, in- cluding teachers, will get free entrance with ID; and half off gate admission for guests ages 55+ for Senior Day. RACES, COMPETITIONS, AND THE PARADE • Join us downtown on the first weekend of the festival for featured events like the Wiener Dog Race, Bed Race, and Ultimate Air Dock Dogs Competition. New this year is the Trash Can Trot, which – you guessed it – includes racing in trash cans! • The Road Race (a 5K and quarter marathon) at Howard High School on March 18 will benefit Ronald McDonald House. • The annual Cherry Blossom Parade on Cherry Street on March 18 will bring families together to enjoy floats, marching bands and for a chance to see this year's Grand Marshal! THIRD STREET PARK ACTIVITIES • Food Truck Frenzy will be held on March 25th from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and March 26 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and feature a vendor component this year called the Cherry Market. • During the weekdays, the Third Street Park activities are back as usual with free pink Krispy Kreme donuts, Coca-Cola, and ice cream from Kroger. • Founders Day will honor William A. Fickling Sr. and the Fickling family, as well as the one-and- only Carolyn Crayton herself. OTHER EVENTS FASHION SHOW Admire local celebrities and digni- taries at The Tubman Museum as they show off the best of the local fashion scene. Enjoy mouthwatering hors oeu- vres by the Perfect Pear and legendary music by DJ BlakJak. PINK PANCAKE BREAKFAST Macon Bibb Fire Department has partnered with Macon Bacon for our Annual Pancake Breakfast. All the pink pancakes, sausage, bacon, orange juice, milk and coffee you can eat! ($5 for adults, $3 for kids 3 and under. All proceeds go to American Cancer Society.) CHERRY BLOSSOM BALL Celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival in style at the Ball in Macon's beautiful City Auditorium. Enjoy a fabu- lous dining experience by Oliver's Cor- ner Bistro, decor by Canaan Marshall Designs, and entertainment by The Swingin' Medallions and Streetline Percussion (Tickets go on sale Feb. 13. $100 per person, sold in tables of eight. Black-tie optional.) For more information, visit www. cherryblossom.com. - HANNAH JETT THEUS 32 maconmagazine.com | FEBRUARY/MARCH 2023