Cherry Blossom Festival rolling for 33rd year

The day was cloudy, but the attitude was bright and sunny at the opening of the 33rd annual Cherry Blossom Festival.

The weather cooperated for a ribbon cutting at Central City Park, and cherry blossoms around town seem to have gotten the message.

“Today is the first day we are bringing the community together for the Pinkest Party on Earth,” festival chairman Mark Butcher said. “The blossoms are cooperating very well. Many of the trees are already in full bloom.”

Between 150,000 and 200,000 people are expected to attend this year’s activities.

Macon-Bibb County Mayor Robert Reichert said the event isn’t just a significant economic generator for the city, but a cultural and environmental one as well.

“The total impact is quite significant for us,” he told those gathered.

While the festival’s first official event began Thursday and runs through April 4, it will have a presence throughout the year. There are four festival-related events the week of April 10, while Tunes & Balloons -- typically the festival’s closing event in past years -- will now be held in September.

“March is not the best time for that event,” Butcher said. “A lot of times in the past, we’ve had to hold the balloons on the ground. ... We’ve moved it to September, which is much better flying weather. They’ll have a great chance to get into the air, which is where they should be.”

The Cherry Blossom Festival began in 1982 as a birthday celebration for William Fickling Sr., who learned how to propagate Yoshino cherry trees and shared them widely across Macon. Carolyn Crayton, who organized that party, helped turn it into a major event.

Bill Fickling III, who told the crowd at Friday’s ceremony how his grandfather fell in love with the cherry trees, said his family has given away more than 360,000 trees over the years. He said the festival has grown beyond what his grandfather could have imagined.

“It’s always fun and exciting,” he said. “It’s always exciting when you see the blossoms bloom on time. I was worried three weeks ago (that they wouldn’t blossom), but then we got warm weather. I think (on Monday) they’ll be perfect.

“ My grandfather never imagined this would be as big as it is. But he would have been pleased with it.”

Crayton encouraged people to take advantage of as many events as they could.

“It’s the time to come together in love, beauty and international friendship,” she told the crowd. “As you are out and about, home folks, welcome all of our visitors. Make them feel so happy that they made the trip to be with us all this week.”

This year’s festival is dedicated to former Macon Mayor Lee Robinson, a member of the festival board who is battling colon cancer, and Sean Pritchard, director of programming, who is battling leukemia.

The festival continues to draw a mix of newcomers and regular attendees, from the Middle Georgia region to other parts of the U.S.

“I like the food, and there’s good shopping,” said Jessica Lane, of Ivy, who attended for the first time last year. “I like the turkey legs. It’s the only time of year you can get them.”

Jim Kelly, who lives near Dayton, Ohio, and owns the Louisiana Grill food cart, said he’s been setting up at Central City Park for the past 10 years. The friendliness of the people keeps him coming back.

“It’s the community. You have a wonderful community here,” he said. “They come out and support it. ... This is a great spring event and it’s a great one for us. The community is fabulous, and it’s well-organized and well-supported. The music is outstanding here -- every night it’s great. There’s something for everybody.”

This story was originally published March 20, 2015 at 1:21 PM with the headline "Cherry Blossom Festival rolling for 33rd year ."