Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1515764
42 maconmagazine.com | FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 Attend the Pink Provisions Preview Party on March 15 and follow along with the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World at cherryblossom.com and @pinkestparty. BY MM STAFF Perfectly pink G o a l l i n o n " T h e P i n k e s t P a r t y o n E a r t h" w i t h t h e s e l o c a l p a s t e l t r e a t s M acon's International Cherry Blossom Festival, an annual favorite, will take place March 15-24. Swing downtown after enjoying the rides and concerts at Carolyn Crayton Park to enjoy some inspired specials. Local business owners like to capitalize on the bloom-crazed audience during the festival, attracting new customers and lending some variety to regulars. When thinking pink, many picture sweets and desserts. If you want to satisfy a sweet tooth, Felicia's Cake Factory will feature cherry vanilla cake slices specially for the festival. Sweet Eleanor's will go all in on a tart cherry frozen lemonade but will also offer a flirt iced tea with notes of hibiscus petals and rose. They'll also add a cherry Danish to their usual bakery case. Harp and Bowl Downtown will have some sweet specials like a Cherry Blossom Lemonade and a Pretty in Pink smoothie, but they'll also dive into heartier festival fare with an Acai Blossom Bowl. Another source of savory grub will be Cashman's Pub, which will lean into the whimsy by offering pink nachos. CBF visitors who enjoy Macon's bars and nightlife may want to indulge in some fun adult beverages. Fall Line Brewery will have its annual release of Yoshi, a cherry blossom pilsner. Cocktail lovers can go to Tzango to sip on a Cherry-Lima Margarita or head to Just Tap'd for a special Cherry Blossom Sangria. Lots more restaurants will announce their specials closer to March, so keep up with all the food and beverage by following the Pink Provisions trail, released by Visit Macon so everyone can sample the best that the local restaurant scene can offer. Last year, they included a "Drink the Pink" contest that allowed both alcoholic and zero-ABV bevvies to compete for the honor of Best Pink Drink. And make sure to check out all the featured events and family fun that will take place at this year's festival. There are two foodie highlights that will tempt your palate. The Cherry Blossom Ball (March 15) features dinner and a performance by Emmy-award winning concert violinist Robert McDuffie. On March 23, the Food Truck Frenzy and Cherry Market will pair bites from food trucks all over the South with onsite beer sales from Piedmont Brewery and Kitchen. Photo courtesy of Fall Line Brewing Co.