Macon‘s International Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off today, despite the forecasted rain and cold, to celebrate spring and the spectacular blooming of the city’s 350,000+ Yoshino cherry trees with a week of special events, vendors, live music and more! It’s not in Houston County, but is a beloved tradition in adjacent Macon-Bibb County that draws huge crowds from HoCo and beyond.
There are a dizzying number of events – a parade, guided tours, rides, races, concerts, shopping and all kinds of live entertainment, including a lot of live music, magic shows, art shows, dog races – there really is something for everyone!
Fun fact: statistically, the peak blooming of cherry blossom in Macon most often falls on March 23, so the festival is always arranged to include that date!
You’ll want to browse the official website to plan your visit to the ”Pinkest Party on Earth,” but here are a couple of highlights for the opening weekend:
Bed Race – Saturday, March 18, 2-3pm @ Cherry St. & Third St.
- Sounds weird, right?? It is! Teams compete to see who can race down the streets of downtown Macon on a “bed” mounted on wheels – they define bed pretty loosely, but it’s fun all the same!
The Legendary Wailers – Saturday, March 18, 8pm @ Carolyn Crater Park
- Get feeling irie with some Reggae music tomorrow night! The Legendary Wailers is led by Junior Marvin, former lead guitarist for Bob Marley & the Wailers.
Cherry Blossom Parade – Sunday, March 19, 3-4pm @ Cherry St. & First St.
- One of the most popular events of the festival is the Cherry Blossom Parade, which features colorful floats, marching bands, dancers, and other performers.
(If you’re in it for the Concert Series, don’t miss Houston County Insider’s highlight picks for this year!)
The Macon Cherry Blossom Festival is a wonderful celebration of spring and nature’s beauty, and a great way to experience the vibrant culture and community of the city. Go check it out!
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