FEBRUARY/MARCH 2013 MACON MAGAZINE I 59
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development at the Medical Center of
Central Georgia.
e festival started in 1982 as a
small event to celebrate the beauty of
the Yoshino cherry trees that William A.
Fickling Sr. began propagating in Macon
and giving to his friends and family. e
trees and their beauty can be seen all over
the city in the spring.
"It all started with one tree Mr.
Fickling saw in his backyard," Ferro said.
Festival founder and Fickling friend
Carolyn Crayton saw the potential in
the beautiful trees and came up with
the idea of a festival. It has grown into
an international celebration with an
estimated economic impact of $10 to $15
million, Ferro said.
Tour companies have already been
calling the Cherry Blossom headquarters
to finalize plans for this year's visit.
"e festival is more than lots of fair
activities at Central City Park and free
ice cream – those are all great," Ferro
said. "ey are wonderful activities and
events, but the whole 10-day period … is
to enhance the quality of life, community
fellowship and civic pride for all Macon
area residents." M
