Georgia Magazine - March 2024 - 8

GEORGIA News
Compiled by Katie Cowart
M
Blossoming beauty in Macon
acon, which proudly claims the
title of Cherry Blossom Capital
of the World, will host the
International Cherry Blossom Festival
March 15-24. With an impressive 350,000
Yoshino cherry trees, the city transforms
into a sea of delicate blossoms, reminiscent
of Japan's iconic Sakura festivals.
The Cherry Blossom Trail guides
visitors through the city to areas where
the trees are most concentrated. The
BloomCam on the festival's website enables
enthusiasts worldwide to witness the
gradual unfolding of the blossoms. For
those eager to bring a piece of the cherryblossom
magic home, trees will be
available for purchase in the Round
Building at Carolyn Crayton Park.
The festival also features a formal ball,
a parade, food trucks and a market with
nightly concerts.
The city's designation as the Cherry
Above: Blooming cherry trees line a path in
Third Street Park. Right: A cherry blossom cake
graces the table at the 2022 Founders Day
celebration that takes place during the festival.
Blossom Capital of the World traces its roots
to William A. Fickling Sr. His serendipitous discovery of Yoshino
cherry trees in his yard prompted Fickling to propagate and
distribute them. Carolyn Crayton collaborated with him to plant
the first Yoshino cherry trees along Wesleyan Woods, Guerry
Drive and Oxford Road on Nov. 24, 1973, marking the beginning
of a transformation. Fickling donated 30,000 trees by 1982.
In recognition of Fickling's contributions and flourishing
cherry-blossom legacy, Crayton and the Keep Macon-Bibb
Beautiful Commission conceptualized the International Cherry
Blossom Festival in 1982. The festival initially was intended as
a one-time event, but its overwhelming success made it into an
annual celebration.
For more information about the International Cherry
Blossom Festival, visit cherryblossom.com.
-Katie Cowart
Georgia glimpses
* It's a girl! Zoo Atlanta has confirmed that the first
southern white rhino ever to be born there is a female.
The calf, born on Christmas Eve, and her mother,
Kiazi, are doing well. For details, visit zooatlanta.org.
* Take the plunge. The 28th annual Polar Bear Plunge
and Winter Festival will take place on March 2 at Lake
Hartwell in Hartwell. In addition to seeing participants
brave the cold water, visitors can enjoy live music, a
petting zoo, winter games and more, with proceeds
8 Georgia Magazine March 2024
benefiting the Northeast Georgia Council on
Domestic Violence. Visit negacdv.org for details.
* One for the books. Book lovers will head to the
2024 Dahlonega Literary Festival, set for March 2 at
Dahlonega Baptist Church. Southern author Sharyn
McCrumb will headline the festival, which also
features 35 other writers. For information about
the festival and free writing workshops, visit
literaryfestival.org.
Other places to see cherry blossoms in Georgia
* Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival,
March 23-24, Brookhaven.
brookhavenga.gov/festival
* Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival,
March 23-24, Conyers. bit.ly/ccbfest
* Gibbs Gardens, Ball Ground,
mid-March. gibbsgardens.com
* Georgia Governor's Mansion,
Atlanta, mid-March.
bit.ly/govcbs
ZOO ATLANTA
ISTOCK.COM / OOYOO
INTERNATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
http://www.brookhavenga.gov/festival http://bit.ly/ccbfest http://www.gibbsgardens.com http://bit.ly/govcbs http://www.cherryblossom.com http://www.negacdv.org http://www.zooatlanta.org http://www.literaryfestival.org
Georgia Magazine - March 2024

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