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.
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