Take in the beauty of the International Cherry Blossom Festival
The International Cherry Blossom Festival is held every spring, welcoming some 350,000 people from around the globe to delight in the city's massive abundance of cherry blossom trees. It takes place in Macon, Georgia, a pleasant city easily accessible from all directions. Arrive in the Peach State through one of the major cities and roll up to Macon in style in a Savannah car rental or Atlanta car rental. Take some time to explore this delightful city and use this guide to experience this unique festival:
History of the fest
Back in 1949, Macon-area realtor William A. Fickling Sr. found a small Yoshino cherry tree in his backyard. It was an unusual sight as this species was rare to the South. In fact, it was the first of its kind in the city. He propagated the tree and shared it with other residents of the metropolis who planted them in their own yards, public parks and any green space they could find. The result: Today, there are more than 300,000 cherry blossom trees located throughout the downtown area and 11 districts, filling the fields and streets with light pink flowers atop these majestic trees. The fest was started in 1982 to celebrate this beautiful display of Mother Nature, though back then it only spanned three days and consisted of a handful of events. Since those humble beginnings, the fest has expanded to fill 10 days and become a beloved tradition of Macon.
About the festival International Cherry Blossom Festival
The International Cherry Blossom Festival generally takes place in late March and consists of hundreds of events. Since these events are located all over downtown as well as throughout the surrounding neighborhoods, you'll need an Atlanta International Airport car rental to really experience the fest. It features live musical entertainment at various outdoor and indoor venues, art showcases, educational exhibits and hot air balloons as well as plenty of food and drink offerings from local producers. Some of the top features each year include the Wesleyan College Market, a children's art competition and a talent contest for students. The physically fit will enjoy taking part in the 5 kilometer race for the prevention and awareness of colon cancer, while those with an appreciation for the graphic arts may want to stop by the Middle GA Comic Convention.
Other activities and attractions in Macon
Macon is a quaint city, but it offers plenty to do no matter your age or interests. Hop in your Georgia car rental and drive to the Ocmulgee National Monument where you'll find Native American Indian mounds dating back more than 10,000 years. Golf fans will enjoy a game of 18-hole at the Bowden Golf Course, while sports fans won't want to miss out on a trip to the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. Visit the Hay House to see the 19th century home of treasurer William Butler Johnston, then head over to the Museum of Arts and Sciences to see paintings, sculptures and other works from around the globe as well as educational exhibits.
Another bonus about visiting in spring: The Mulberry Street Arts Festival also takes place during this time. It runs on the last weekend of every March and is the oldest arts and crafts festival in the region. Thousands of visitors fill Mulberry Street, pursuing the art exhibits and pop-up galleries as well as the booths of hundreds of vendors selling handcrafted furniture, original paintings, stained glass and a plethora of other arts and crafts.