About Ernest: Nashville’s most unpredictable hitmaker ERNEST is “The Charmer” (MusicRow), a triple threat talent and one of Music City’s on the rise artist/writers who is changing the status quo. A 2022 Variety Hitmaker, the chart-topping songwriter fuses influences ranging from Eminem to George Jones, crafting a twist-heavy verse style that’s become his signature, proving its mettle, and earning him eight #1 hits to date. The eccentric free spirit and 2022 CMA Triple Play Award winner will release the deluxe edition of his critically acclaimed album FLOWER SHOPS (THE ALBUM) on February 10, 2023, rebranding the collection FLOWER SHOPS (THE ALBUM): Two Dozen Roses, doubling its track list with 13 fresh cuts. The March 2022-released original has been praised as one of Holler and The Tennessean’s best albums of the year, showcasing the more classically country side of his craft. Nashville’s “busiest – and most consistently successful – creative force” (The Tennessean) wrapped his first-ever sold-out headlining Sucker For Small Towns Tour this past fall, and will hit the road in March as direct support on Morgan Wallen’s One Night At A Time World Tour.

About the Cherry Blossom Festival:

Founded by Carolyn Crayton in 1982, Macon, Georgia’s International Cherry Blossom Festival works to enhance the quality of life, community fellowship, and civic pride of all Macon and Middle Georgia residents through the encouragement, development, and coordination of selected recreational, cultural, educational and social activities. Through each activity the Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the Macon and Middle Georgia community by honoring “Love, Beauty, and International Friendship.”

The 2024 Festival will take place March 15-24, 2024. For programming and more information visit https://cherryblossom.com

About Lupe Fiasco: Chicago-born, Grammy Award-winning rapper Lupe Fiasco gained national attention with his 2006 album Food & Liquor, which helped cement a new wave of Chicago rappers in the national conversation. Revisit the album that put Lupe Fiasco on the map, and changed the course of Chicago hip-hop forever. The independent rapper who parted ways with his former label, Atlantic Records, following the release of 2015’s Tetsuo & Youth, is pegged as one of the most gifted lyricists and visionaries to grace the mic.  Rising to fame in 2006 following the success of his debut album, Food & Liquor, Lupe has released six acclaimed studio albums; Drogas Light, released in 2017 on his own label, 1^st & 15^th.   These albums have netted 3 platinum singles, 3 RIAA Gold Certifications, 12 Grammy nominations and one Grammy Award in 2008 for his infectious single, “Daydreamin,” feat Jill Scott.  With a trilogy of albums set for 2018 and beyond, Lupe is at his creative peak as an artist.  Most recently, Drogas Wave released on September 21^st, 2018 via 1^st & 15^th. His efforts to propagate conscious material helped solidify him as GQ’s Man of the Year in 2006, and garnered recognition as a Henry Crown Fellow.

While musical genius and ingenuity are at the forefront of Lupe’s achievements, the artist extends his innovation to projects that aim to foster creative discourse and opportunities in underprivileged and impoverished communities.  As the co-founder and co-owner of community initiatives such as, We Are M.U.R.A.L, The Neighborhood Start-Up Fund, Society of Spoken Art, and Studio SV, Lupe Fiasco proves that he is more than just a mouthpiece for change, but a committed facilitator of intellectual community discourse and outreach.

About the Cherry Blossom Festival:

Founded by Carolyn Crayton in 1982, Macon, Georgia’s International Cherry Blossom Festival works to enhance the quality of life, community fellowship, and civic pride of all Macon and Middle Georgia residents through the encouragement, development, and coordination of selected recreational, cultural, educational and social activities. Through each activity the Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the Macon and Middle Georgia community by honoring “Love, Beauty, and International Friendship.”

The 2024 Festival will take place March 15-24, 2024. For programming and more information visit https://cherryblossom.com

GOLD

• Best Organizational Website – cherryblossom.com designed by The Miner Agency
• Best New Promotion Activity – Trash Can Trot – Thanks to a partnership with Ryland Environmental, a brand-new-event and first-of-its-kind event in the world took place in downtown Macon as spectators got the first glimpse to see who was the fastest in a trash can as teams of two raced down Cherry Street.
• Best Pin – Pink Poodle Pin
• Best Festival/Event Merchandise – Stuffed Pink Poodle Toy
• Best Give-Away Item – Bag of Cherry Blossom Festival goodies
• Best Targeted Sponsor Solicitation Proposal – Trash Can Trot – Ryland Environmental
• Best Sponsorship Program for Individual Sponsor – Trash Can Trot – Ryland Environmental
• Best Individual Sponsor Follow-Up Report – Trash Can Trot – Ryland Environmental

SILVER

• Best Overall Sponsorship Program – Cherry Blossom Festival Sponsors – Stacy Moore
• Best Overall Entertainment Program – Nightly Concert Series, Shows & Attractions and Bicentennial Performers
• Best Instagram Site – @pinkestparty – The Miner Agency
• Best Facebook site – www.facebook/com.cherryblossomfestival – The Miner Agency
• Best Food and Beverage Program – Food Truck Frenzy ft. Cherry Market
• Best Digital/Social Ad Series – CBF Event graphics designed by The Miner Agency
• Best Single Magazine Display Ad – Macon Magazine
• Best Ad Series – ¿Que Pasa?
• Best Promotional Photograph – Third Street Park fountain at night
• Best Outdoor Billboard – Festival Dates – Alex Habersham
• Best Sponsor Partner – Drew Expositions for their support of the midway at The Festival at Carolyn Crayton Park

BRONZE

• Best Sponsor Gift – Pink Tumbler
• Best Hat – White hat with pink CBF Logo
• Best Promotional Brochure – Cherry Blossom Festival Rack Card designed by The Miner Agency
• Best Parade – Cherry Blossom Parade – 41NBC
• Best Mobile App – CBF App designed by The Miner Agency
• Best Full-Length TV Program – Live Broadcast at CCP – WGXA

About the Cherry Blossom Festival:

Founded by Carolyn Crayton in 1982, Macon, Georgia’s International Cherry Blossom Festival works to enhance the quality of life, community fellowship, and civic pride of all Macon and Middle Georgia residents through the encouragement, development, and coordination of selected recreational, cultural, educational and social activities.  Through each activity, the Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the Macon and Middle Georgia community by honoring “Love, Beauty, and International Friendship.”

About the IFEA:

Sponsored by industry leader Haas & Wilkerson Insurance, the professional competition drew entries from some of the world’s top festivals and events*.  Winning entries came from organizations as diverse as the Cherry Creek Arts Festival in Denver, CO; the Dublin Irish Festival in Dublin, OH; the South Texas International Film Festival in Edinburg, TX; the Saint Louis Art Fair in St. Louis, MO; the Kentucky Derby Festival in Louisville, KY; the Pasadena Tournament of Roses in Pasadena, CA; the City of McAllen Holiday Parade in McAllen, TX; the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, MI; The Parade Company in Detroit, MI; the Philadelphia Flower Show in Philadelphia, PA; the United San Antonio Pow Wow in San Antonio, TX; the Washington’s Birthday Celebration in Laredo, TX; ¡ARTE VIVA! in Naples, FL; and Folklorama in Winnipeg, MB, Canada; Canada Together in Vancouver, BC, Canada; Vivid Sydney in Sydney, Australia; Festival Lent in Maribor, Slovenia; and Chiang Mai Blooms in Bangkok, Thailand.

Recognizing the outstanding accomplishments and top-quality creative, promotional, operational and community outreach programs and materials produced by Festivals and Events around the world, awards* were handed out in 70 different categories including: TV/Radio, Social and Multi Media; Print and Merchandise, in addition to Festival and Event programs such as Sponsorship; Education, Accessibility; Children’s; Emergency Preparedness and Entertainment. The Grand Pinnacle, the highest award given by the IFEA in recognition of those Festivals and Events* who have a balance of all the elements necessary to ensure a successful event was also awarded.

“We would like to congratulate all of our Pinnacle winners for their outstanding entries into this year’s competition,” said IFEA President & CEO, Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE.  “The IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards Competition recognizes the outstanding accomplishments and top quality creative, promotional, operational and community outreach programs and materials produced by festivals and events around the world.  Striving for the highest degree of excellence in festival and event promotions and operations in every budget level and every corner of the globe, this competition has not only raised the standards and quality of the festivals and events industry to new levels, but also shows how event producers can use innovation and creativity to achieve a higher level of success.”

Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) is The Premier Association Supporting and Enabling Festival & Event Professionals Worldwide. In partnership with global affiliates under the umbrellas of IFEA Africa, IFEA Asia, IFEA Australia, IFEA Europe, IFEA Latin America, IFEA Middle East (MENASA), and IFEA North America, the organization’s common vision is for “A Globally United Industry that Touches Lives in a Positive Way through Celebration.” The Association offers the most complete source of ideas, resources, information, education and networking for festival and event professionals worldwide.

Macon, Georgia – The Festival is excited to share the second major headliner announcement for the Nightly Concert Series at the 42nd Cherry Blossom Festival. We’re thrilled to have Parmalee take the stage on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the Coca-Cola Entertainment Stage at Carolyn Crayton Park. The Nightly Concert Series features local, regional, and national artists performing each night of the 10-day festival, March 15-24, 2024. Gate entry is $10 every day and the Nightly Concert Series is included in your admission. Children 10 and under are free. A clear bag policy is in effect and guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs.

About Parmalee:  Parmalee is one of Country music’s most successful acts with four #1 singles, multiple platinum records, and more than 1 Billion on-demand streams. Comprised of brothers Matt and Scott Thomas (lead vocals/guitar and drums, respectively), Cousin Barry Knox (bass), and life-long friend Josh McSwain (guitar/keyboard), the North Carolina natives first topped the charts with “Carolina,” followed by their PLATINUM-certified No. 1 single with Blanco Brown, “Just the Way.” They followed with “Take My Name,” which was Billboard’s Most Played Country Song of 2022. They recently scored their third consecutive #1 single with “Girl In Mine.” Those three #1’s and 15 other tracks are available on their new album For You 2. For more information, visit: www.parmaleemusic.com.

About the Cherry Blossom Festival:

Founded by Carolyn Crayton in 1982, Macon, Georgia’s International Cherry Blossom Festival works to enhance the quality of life, community fellowship, and civic pride of all Macon and Middle Georgia residents through the encouragement, development, and coordination of selected recreational, cultural, educational and social activities. Through each activity the Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the Macon and Middle Georgia community by honoring “Love, Beauty, and International Friendship.”

The 2024 Festival will take place March 15-24, 2024. For programming and more information visit https://cherryblossom.com. 

For Media Inquires, please contact Hannah Theus:

htheus@cherryblossom.com

Macon, Georgia – The first major headliner to perform during the Nightly Concert Series at the 42nd Cherry Blossom Festival is Bryce Leatherwood, winner of Season 22 of The Voice. He will perform Saturday, March 23, 2024, on the Coca-Cola Entertainment Stage at Carolyn Crayton Park. The Nightly Concert Series features local, regional, and national artists performing each night of the 10-day festival, March 15-24, 2024. Gate entry is $10 every day and the Nightly Concert Series is included in your admission. Children 10 and under are free. A clear bag policy is in effect and guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs.

Leatherwood is a 23-year-old singer/songwriter who aims to carry the torch of country music and continue the legacy of legends prior. Bryce was born and raised in Woodstock, GA, and his passion for music began at an early age. Working on his grandfather’s farm every summer, Bryce was exposed to the classic country hits of George Jones, Merle Haggard and Conway Twitty. Soon thereafter, Bryce began picking up guitars and playing the traditional country music that still inspires him today.

Bryce’s music career began to blossom in Statesboro, GA, where he attended Georgia Southern University. During his time in Statesboro, Bryce played college venues and continued to hone his stage presence and his country music repertoire. In late 2021 while still enrolled in college, Bryce formed his band and began playing all around the Southeast. Bryce’s goal was to take the stage and play the best of country music to all ages and audiences. After graduating college, Bryce set his mind on a new task. In 2022, he competed on the NBC hit television show “The Voice” and was crowned the Season 22 winner in December of 2022. Following his success on “The Voice,” Bryce signed with Universal Music Nashville and is currently hard at work writing and recording new music. In fact, the country newcomer just released “The Finger,” the first taste of new music for fans since winning “The Voice” and signing a major label record deal.

Bryce also has a Macon connection. Bryce has always had an incredibly close bond with his “Granddaddy” Jimmy McCallum who retired as a Captain and served 26 years with the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department. “Bryce was his granddaddy’s shadow growing up and always wanted to spend his summers and any break from school right here in Lizella, Ga on his Granddaddy’s farm,” Aunt Amy McCallum Stokes said.  “We are so excited for our family superstar to return back to Macon and play for all of his family and friends who have supported him along this journey,” she added. “While on stage a few years ago at the Crazy Bull in downtown Macon, Bryce told the crowd that he has ‘always referred to Macon/Lizella as his 2nd home’ because this is where he developed his love of music, especially classic country music,” Stoked said.

About the Cherry Blossom Festival:

Founded by Carolyn Crayton in 1982, Macon, Georgia’s International Cherry Blossom Festival works to enhance the quality of life, community fellowship, and civic pride of all Macon and Middle Georgia residents through the encouragement, development, and coordination of selected recreational, cultural, educational and social activities. Through each activity the Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the Macon and Middle Georgia community by honoring “Love, Beauty, and International Friendship.”

The 2024 Festival will take place March 15-24, 2024. For programming and more information visit https://cherryblossom.com

For Information, Contact:

Hannah Theus, Director of Marketing and Fulfillment

htheus@cherryblossom.com

The Cherry Blossom Festival is thrilled to announce programming updates for the Veterans Day Parade in Macon-Bibb County on November 5 at 3 p.m. Enjoy patriotic themed floats, military units, marching bands and more as we honor our hometown heroes. Guests should plan to arrive early to experience the roar of a F-15 flyover to kick off the parade. We’re thankful to Robins Air Force Base, the 339th Flight Test Squadron & the 402nd Aircraft Maintenance Group for their support. Additional information about a test flyover is forthcoming.

Prior to her appointment as Commissioner, she established The Georgia Veterans Education Career Transition Resource Center (VECTR Center) and served as Chief Operating Officer from 2016 – 2021. The Georgia VECTR Center provides accelerated training in high demand and strategic industries, career counseling, academic advising, employment assistance, entrepreneurship, and in partnership with other state, federal, and community agencies, provides a one-stop-shop to help meet veterans needs. Ross also served as the first Director of Military Affairs for the Technical College System of Georgia from 2014 – 2016 where she led state-wide initiatives to expand educational benefits and opportunities for military students at Georgia’s 22 public technical colleges.  After 25 years on active duty in the United States Air Force, Ross retired as a Colonel in October 2014.

Ross received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Tampa, Florida; a master’s degree in systems engineering management from St. Mary’s University, Texas; and a master’s degree in military operational arts and science from the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. She is also a graduate of the Air War College. Ross is also currently pursuing her Ed.D in leadership from Valdosta State University.

She and her husband Scott (also retired Air Force) have four adult children.

About the Cherry Blossom Festival:

Founded by Carolyn Crayton in 1982, Macon, Georgia’s International Cherry Blossom Festival works to enhance the quality of life, community fellowship, and civic pride of all Macon and Middle Georgia residents through the encouragement, development, and coordination of selected recreational, cultural, educational and social activities.  Through each activity the Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the Macon and Middle Georgia community by honoring “Love, Beauty, and International Friendship.”

The 2024 Festival will take place March 15-24, 2024. For programming and more information visit https://cherryblossom.com

Please contact Hannah Theus at htheus@cherryblossom.com with any inquires.

Carolyn Mullis Crayton has been devoted to making an incredible imprint on any community in which she lived. Her volunteer work with Keep America Beautiful spans more than half a century and reached its heights not only in Macon, Georgia but also in this state, nation, and countries throughout the world. When Keep America Beautiful started the Clean Community program, Macon was designated as one of three tests sites because of Carolyn’s knowledge of the program. She was a trailblazer in the organization and founded Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful. Forty-five years later, it remains a strong and viable affiliate striving to keep this community clean, green, and beautiful. Carolyn inspired and recruited thousands of volunteers, many of them senior citizens, to “improve the quality of life in every community through litter prevention, recycling, and beautification.” She instituted an annual awards luncheon to honor and thank first responders, public works employees, maintenance and solid waste employees, and hundreds of volunteers for their efforts to keep Macon safe and beautiful. She persuaded Governor George Busbee to declare Georgia the first state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. Georgia is now the largest state affiliate in the country with 78 affiliates reaching 80% of the population. Renowned as the consummate authority on training leaders for the Clean Community concept, she was invited by Lord Parry of Wales and Chairman of Keep Britain Tidy to London to train the directors of that organization.

In 1982, to thank Mr. Fickling for his gift of hundreds of Yoshino cherry trees to Macon, Carolyn planned a weekend celebration to coincide
with his birthday and the blossoming of the trees. This developed into a weeklong International Cherry Blossom Festival, currently in its 42nd year, with its theme of “love, beauty, and international friendship.” Since the Yoshino cherry tree is native to Japan, Carolyn developed deep ties with the country and each year it is honored at the Festival. To demonstrate their deep appreciation to and high esteem for Carolyn, YKK gave funds to build headquarters to house both Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful and the Cherry Blossom Festival. A prime example of this was her hosting the Clean World Conference as representatives from 27 countries gathered in Macon to share and discuss successful methods of dealing with environmental issues. From the very beginning of their existence, Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Commission and the Cherry Blossom Festival were designed to attract and benefit all ages. Approximately, half of the 28 Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Commissioners appointed by the city-county government are senior citizens, and a significant number serving on the Cherry Blossom Festival Board are also. As an integral part of an age friendly city, from its beginning Carolyn insisted that the Cherry Blossom Festival be designed to be all inclusive and offer a wide variety of activities occurring during the day time or early evening when seniors seem to prefer to attend. Central City Park (now Carolyn Crayton Park) has a day especially marked as Senior Day with events tailored for them at reduced prices. One of the most popular events of the festival is the Cherry Blossom Senior Queen Pageant where a queen and a princess are chosen to represent the seniors of this community. They are featured guests at all events especially the parade. Former senior queens and princesses comprise one of the most supportive group of volunteers for both organizations. This group, along with others they recruit, are known as the famous Think Pink Committee and assist with many festival activities most notably the annual awards luncheon where they greet, offer assistance to those requiring it, and usher guests to their seats. As a longtime member Georgia Department of Community Affairs, she was instrumental in the procurement of funds to renovate a 1940 housing project citizens project into the beautiful new 76-unit Tindall Senior Towers providing much needed comfortable, safe, and affordable housing for seniors.

Awards and Recognitions
• Lady Bird Johnson Award, KAB
• The Queen Mother’s Award, United Kingdom
Japanese American Appreciation Award, Consul General

• Order of the Rising Sun With Gold and Silver Rays signed by
  Emperor Akihito
• Woman of Distinction-Middle Georgia Girl Scout Council
  • Georgia Festival Director of the Year
• Gracious Lady of Georgia
  Sylvan Branch Award, Festival of Trees, Kent State University
  • Leadership Awards–Keep America Beautiful and Keep Georgia
  Beautiful
  • “People Who Have Made a Difference in Their Communities” ABC Television
  • Emerson Award from National Arbor Day Foundation
  Carolyn has four awards named in her honor: two local-Carolyn Crayton Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Commission Award and the Carolyn Crayton Cherry Blossom Festival Award; a state award-Keep Georgia Beautiful’s Carolyn Crayton “Woman of the Year”; and a national award-Keep America Beautiful’s Carolyn Crayton Award for an environmental friendly national business.Carolyn recently retired from the National Arbor Day Foundation where she served for 38 years, was Board Chai’Jand te’cipie t–of the Emerson Award.
  In addition to the awards previously mentioned, Carolyn is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions including the following:
  • Woman of Distinction-Middle Georgia Girl Scout Council
  • Georgia Festival Director of the Year
  • Gracious Lady of Georgia
  • Sylvan Branch Award, Festival of Trees, Kent State University
  • Leadership Awards–Keep America Beautiful and Keep Georgia Beautiful
  • “People Who Have Made a Difference in Their Communities” ABC TelevisionThe Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Commission Award and the Carolyn Crayton Cherry Blossom Festival Award; a state award-Keep Georgia Beautiful’s Carolyn Crayton “Woman of the Year”; and a national award-Keep America Beautiful’s Carolyn Crayton Award for an environmental friendly national business awards are all in her honor.

  Another of Carolyn’s impressive contributions to this community as well as to the entire state of Georgia is her appointment by the past four Georgia governors to serve as an at-large board member of the State of Georgia Department of Community Affairs. This department oversees 65 statewide programs one of which is to provide safe and affordable housing for Georgia citizens. Recently this department opened’transformedit”1940’s housing project into the beautiful and new 76-unit Tindall Senior Towers providing much needed comfortable, safe, and affordable housing for seniors. Another building is under construction and two additional ones are planned.

Carolyn serves on the following boards: 

• International Festival and Events Association (President’s Council and Executive Committee; Past Chair of Foundation Board; Member of Hall of Fame)
  • Keep America Beautiful, Inc. (Board of Directors and National Consultant)
  • Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Commission (All committees)
  • Macon, Georgia’s International Cherry Blossom Festival Board
  (All committees)
  • Museum of Aviation Board of Directors, Robins, Air Force Base
  (First Female Board Chair-2012)
  • Macon Rescue Mission Board of Directors
  • Middle Georgia State University Foundation Board of Trustees
  • Robert L, Scott Golf Tournament for Museum of Aviation
  • State of Georgia Department of Community Affairs (Board Chair- 2012)
  • Vineville Garden Club (Past President)
  • Wesleyan Woods Garden Club (Past President)

The immense growth of the Festival over the last seven years is a testament to the leadership of President and CEO Stacy Moore, valued sponsors, committed staff members and dedicated Festival board members with guidance from Festival Chair Kenny Burgamy and Board Chair Elizabeth Cleveland. Our partners at Visit Macon and the Macon-Bibb County government also provided unparalleled support for the event celebrating the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World. “We were overjoyed to share the ‘Pinkest Party on Earth’ with our Macon-Bibb community and welcome our visitors from near and far. We are pleased with the substantial increase of guests from a 50+ mile radius and consider it further validation of the impact Macon, Georgia’s International Cherry Blossom Festival has at a local, regional and state level,” Moore said. “We are thrilled to recognize this accomplishment and continue to build off of our successes with world-class programming and experiences for the whole family,” she added.

About the Cherry Blossom Festival:

Founded by Carolyn Crayton in 1982, Macon, Georgia’s International Cherry Blossom Festival works to enhance the quality of life, community fellowship, and civic pride of all Macon and Middle Georgia residents through the encouragement, development, and coordination of selected recreational, cultural, educational and social activities. Through each activity the Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the Macon and Middle Georgia community by honoring “Love, Beauty, and International Friendship.”

The 2024 Festival will take place March 15-24, 2024. For programming and more information visit
https://cherryblossom.com

When will Macon’s Cherry Trees bloom?

One of the things we enjoy most about the cherry trees is that they usually bloom all at once, en masse, and put on quite a beautiful show all over town.  And about this time of year, I’m often asked when our Japanese Yoshino Cherry Trees (“prunus x yedoensis“) will bloom? The answer is “at the best possible time for cherry trees to bloom”, which is up to God, the weather, and the trees. We can only guess when that will be!

Statistics

However, we have some statistical data to help us make an educated guess. My grandfather, William A. Fickling, Sr. kept a detailed log for more than ten years of when his cherry trees bloomed, including the first and last dates they bloomed, and the average peak bloom date. He kept statistics for downtown, his house on Ingleside Avenue, and the Fickling Farm on Rivoli Drive. From this log we know that the average peak bloom date for Macon is March 23rd, which coincides with his birthday. We always try to plan the festival so that March 23rd is included within the 10-day festival period.

Standard deviation from the mean

However, there is a wide swing of plus or minus two weeks from the average peak bloom date. There have always been blossoms on March 23rd every year that I can remember, but some years the cherry trees were just starting to bloom on the 23rd, and some years there were only a few blossoms remaining. Several more factors enter into the equation that we know of.

Chill hours

I know many people worry when we have a mild winter, that the cherry trees will bloom early. However, as with peach trees, cherry trees require a minimum number of chill hours to set a good bloom. In very mild winters, they may not get enough chill hours, and contrary to what you might expect, that can actually delay the bloom, or cause the trees to become confused and bloom at different times.

Microclimate

The average cherry tree only holds its blossoms for 7 to 10 days, or less if wind or rain knocks them off. But because Macon is bisected by the Fall Line between the Piedmont Plateau and the Coastal Plain, Macon has several microclimates, and that tends to spread the bloom period. Typically, the cherry trees downtown bloom at a slightly different time than the trees on Ingleside Ave, and the trees in Wesleyan Woods are a few days different as well. Also, Yoshinos are mountainous understory trees in their native habitat in Japan, and are typically healthier when shaded by conifers, and grown on a sandy/rocky well-drained slope, and hence have a superior bloom in their favored locations.

Genetic Variation

Most of the Yoshino cuttings in Macon were taken from the original cherry trees that were planted in Grandfather’s front yard. One of the trees typically bloomed a few days earlier than the others. My grandfather took cuttings from all the trees, and if you look around Macon, you’ll notice that some trees will bloom a few days earlier than the others.

Age

You may have noticed that younger Yoshinos tend to bloom earlier than their older siblings. Yoshinos under stress also put out basal shoots and these typically bloom earlier than the original trunk. Many people let one of the larger shoots grow, since it’s often an indication that an older tree is dying. Healthy older trees may delay bloom, especially on their higher branches, and their leaves also sprout later.

Length of bloom period

All these variations add up. So, while any given tree may only bloom for 7 to 10 days, the total bloom period in Macon can be as long as two weeks. Weather affects this too though. Yoshino blossoms are cold hardy and are rarely killed by frost or freezing temperatures. However, a late cold spell can delay the bloom, and the delicate blossoms can be knocked off by wind or rain, which can regrettably cut the bloom period short in bad weather.

Pink Blush phase

Just before the cherry trees bloom the buds begin to swell and turn pink. Because there are so many buds on a Yoshino the entire tree can take on a soft pink hue around dusk. The blossoms also change colors as they age. They appear brilliant white when they first open. Then they slowly turn pinker. They are at their pinkest right before they fall off. In years when the blooms last longer, they turn a much richer pink.

Disease and pests

In the last few years, we’ve had very mild winters, and this has allowed shot hole fungus and tree-borer pests to affect the trees, and many of them in Macon are badly affected.  The trees at my Grandfather’s house on Ingleside, and at Fickling Farm on Rivoli are some of the oldest trees in town and are the most badly affected.  We are replanting the trees, but it will be quite a few years before these locations are as beautiful as they were before. The Keep Macon Bibb Beautiful Commission in cooperation with many local agencies are investigating new varieties and hybrids that are more disease resistant, and better able to tolerate the heat.  The leading contender is a variety developed at the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. named Helen Taft after the wife of President Taft who received the original gift of Yoshino trees from the wife of the Mayor of Tokyo Japan that are planted around the Tidal Basin in Washington.  While these are presently in short supply, we hope to increase production of these disease resistant trees and restore the beautiful spring bloom we’ve all come to love and enjoy.

Keep Macon Bibb Beautiful Commissioner and Master Gardener Wayne Woodsworth has launched a project to determine which varieties of cherry trees grow best in Macon.  Please contact KMBBC if you wish to donate to this effort.

Winter of 2022-Spring of 2023

Compared to recent years, we’ve had a lot of extremely cold nights this winter, and we hope this will slow the diseases and suppress some of the pests.  However, unseasonably warm weather in February has allowed some of the trees to bloom early.  In particular, the trees at Mr. Fickling’s home on Ingleside and his Farm on Rivoli Drive will likely be in full bloom by Opening Day of the Festival.  The trees in downtown Macon are a bit behind, which may give us blossoms during the week of the Festival.

The current forecast calls for freezing weather early this week and cool nights next week.  This may slow some of the blossoms down, although early blossoms can often survive a light freeze.  However, the delicate petals rarely survive strong winds or heavy rain.

The forecast for Opening Day of the Cherry Blossom Festival on Friday, March 17^th calls for rain and possibly thunderstorms.

Stay tuned to our website for a potential change of location for Opening Ceremonies in case of inclement weather.

Wm. A. Fickling, III

March 14, 2023