Text by Elizabeth Czapski
Commemorating its bicentennial year, historic Macon, Georgia, is in the midst of a flourishing downtown revival, and there’s no better time to discover all the city has to offer than during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. Every March since 1982, Macon hosts the popular festival to honor the area’s profusion of Yoshino cherry trees as they reach their peak bloom, boasting an astounding 350,000 in comparison to better-known cherry blossom icon Washington, DC, with 3,800 trees. A 10-day extravaganza ensues, complete with parades, concerts, an arts and crafts show, and other pink-filled fanfare.
As the town’s epicenter becomes swathed in the signature shade, business owners embrace the theme, painting their store windows and featuring menu items inspired by the fruit trees. You can start off your day with cherry French toast and pink grits and carry on sampling anything from pink tostadas to more classic treats like cherry ice cream. Quench your thirst at local pubs and coffee roasters with beverage specials such as cherry blossom pilsners and coffee blends, and participate in this year’s inaugural “Drink Your Pink” cocktail contest.
With deep roots in the music industry—touting origin stories of legends like the Allman Brothers Band, Little Richard, and Otis Redding—Macon’s downtown district has been in a recent state of restoration, transforming storied buildings to make way for the city’s evolving contemporary presence. An up-and-coming foodie mecca, it is home to more than 50 restaurants serving up international flavors with Southern soul, while the cultural scene is thriving with 30-plus bars and live music venues, five historic theaters, countless galleries and shops, and two newly opened boutique hotels. With so much to experience in this growing town, the beautiful blossoms and festival will simply be the cherry on top.
For more information, visit maconga.org.
