Cherry Blossom Festival best bets for Sunday
The Cherry Blossom Festival parade, which begins at 3 p.m. Sunday on Cherry Street, is a traditional favorite. Here are another 10 activities to help you plan your day. For a full Cherry Blossom Festival calendar, click here.
1.) Opening Worship Service: 10:45 a.m., Mulberry Street United Methodist Church, 719 Mulberry St. Sunday church service honoring the Cherry Blossom Festival. Free.
2.) Dixie Disc Dogs Championships: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Central City Park, Willie Smokey Glover Drive. Watch premier Frisbee dogs from around the country compete for the championship title. Free.
3.) Pink Applesauce Eating Contest: 12:30-1 p.m., Coca-Cola Entertainment Stage, Central City Park, Willie Smokey Glover Drive. Fun-filled applesauce eating contest. Free.
4.) Geico Pinkadelic Blossom Parade, Funky Block Party and Pre-Show: 1 p.m., Cherry Street. Wear your grooviest 1960s and ’70s outfits and join the party. Music by Party Man Productions. Free.
5.) Traditional Lantern Lighting: 2 p.m., Third Street Park, along Third Street. Ignite the festival and join dignitaries as they light the ceremonial lantern. Free.
6.) The King of Instruments: Joyous Music for Organ: 2 p.m., St. Joseph Catholic Church, 830 Poplar St. Music performed by Joby Bell on the church’s 53-rank Schlicker pipe organ. Free.
7.) William Fickling Sr. Birthday Bash featuring Matsuriza Taiko Drummers and Fireworks: 5:30-9 p.m., Central City Park, Willie Smokey Glover Drive. Celebrate Fickling’s birthday in style with traditional Japanese drummers at 5:30 p.m. and fireworks at dusk. Free.
8.) Spring Spirit Stroll Tours: 6 p.m., Historic Riverside Cemetery, 1301 Riverside Drive. Stroll back in time with a one-hour guided walking tour. Wear comfortable shoes. $10.
9.) Big Daddy & Company: 6:30-9 p.m., Coca-Cola Entertainment Stage, Central City Park, Willie Smokey Glover Drive. Soul music. Free.
10.) Ocmulgee National Monument Lantern Light Tours: 7:30-9 p.m., 1207 Emery Highway. Guided and self-guided tours that are one mile round-trip. $5.
This story was originally published March 22, 2014 at 9:34 PM with the headline "Cherry Blossom Festival best bets for Sunday."