Cherry Blossom Festival to kick off fall events in September
Though the Yoshino cherry trees won’t be blooming until spring, Macon’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival is again featuring an array of fall events this year.
Hot air balloon rides, a cocktail party, dueling high school marching bands, fine art and a hockey game make up the festival’s second annual fall schedule.
“The goal for the last several years has been to become more of a year-round part of Middle Georgia’s culture,” Jake Ferro, the festival’s CEO, said in an email. “(Fall events) will not only allow more people to enjoy the festival events without so much worry about bad weather, but it will also help the festival, a non-profit, raise funds during a less busy season. ... The festival wants to have a large, positive economic impact on Middle Georgia in the fall as well as the spring, and hopefully year-round in the future.”
Ferro said last year’s fall events saw tremendous attendance, and he expects this year will be even better.
The fall schedule kicks off with Tunes & Balloons Family Fun Fest on Saturday, Sept. 12 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Middle Georgia State University. Tethered hot air balloon rides, activities for children, live entertainment and a fireworks finale are featured at the event, according to a news release. Tickets cost $5 per person, and admission is free for children 6 years old and under.
Among the other events:
* A pink-and-black themed cocktail party at the Blacksmith Shop is set for Thursday, Oct. 8 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event, billed as Spirits in the Courtyard, will feature live music, dancing, a silent auction, beer, wine, heavy hors d’oeuvres and a raffle. Tickets cost $45 per person in advance and $50 at the door.
* The Macon Mayhem hockey team will face off against the Columbus Cottonmouths at the Macon Coliseum at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17. Tailgating and other activities will take place before the team’s first game of the season. Tickets cost $5 per person.
* In mid-November, high school marching bands from across the region will showcase their talents in Battle of the Bands, a competition set for 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15 at Mercer University’s Five Star Stadium. Tickets cost $10 per person in advance and $15 at the door. A portion of the proceeds will support local school music programs.
* The last Cherry Blossom Festival event of 2015 will feature an exhibit of fine art with wine and light hors d’oeuvres from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3 at the Museum of Arts & Sciences. Tickets cost $5 per person.
For more information, visit www.cherryblossom.com.
To contact writer Laura Corley, call 744-4334 or follow her on Twitter@Lauraecor.
This story was originally published August 25, 2015 at 5:27 PM with the headline "Cherry Blossom Festival to kick off fall events in September ."