Nation & World News

Macon’s beloved Cherry Blossom Festival has been canceled

By Stephanie Toone
March 13, 2020

Organizers for Macon’s International Cherry Blossom Festival announced Friday that the festival has been canceled due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.

The festival reportedly brings millions of dollars into the city’s economy and attracts thousands of visitors to downtown Macon.


"Due to the threat of COVID-19 and what our community can do to slow the spread of the disease, this year's festival scheduled for March 27-April 5, 2020 has been canceled," reads a statement on the festival's website.

The 2020 Cherry Blossom Festival would have been the 39th festival. William A. Fickling Sr. started the distribution of Yoshino cherry trees after he found one in his backyard, according to the festival’s website.

This will be the first time in its history that the 10-day festival, known for its extravagant display of springtime color, will not take place.

The state Department of Public Health announced that there are 42 confirmed cases as of early Friday. Cases have been confirmed in Cobb, Fulton, Bartow, Cherokee, Coweta, DeKalb, Fayette and Gordon counties.

About the Author

Stephanie has been telling stories her whole life. Her interest in the written word started with short stories and journal entries about run-ins with classroom bullies as a child and matured to writing for her high school newspaper over the years. She has written and edited for The Tennessean, Augusta Chronicle and American City & County.

More Stories