Macon’s 42nd Cherry Blossom Festival underway

Community leaders, local government officials and dignitaries from Japan gathered for the opening ceremony of the 42nd Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon on Friday.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Community leaders, local government officials and dignitaries from Japan gathered for the opening ceremony of the 42nd Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon on Friday.

The opening ceremony was held indoors at the Douglass Theatre due to the threat of rain.

People from across the state and country are expected to attend the 10-day festival, which is known as the “Pinkest Party on Earth.”

Karla Redding-Andrews, this year’s festival chair, says she is excited to welcome everyone to the festivities.

“I want our visitors to know that there’s so much in this city to experience,” she said.

Festival organizers closed Carolyn Crayton Park Friday night due to rain. The scheduled performance by Demun Jones there was also canceled.

“We’re going to celebrate the biggest party on earth, regardless of what the weather may be,” Andrews said earlier Friday.

Veteran journalist Liz Jarvis Fabian, this year’s Cherry Blossom Legacy Queen, is excited to promote the festival and the community.

“I’ve always loved the festival, and I believe that this crown gives me a license to be a cheerleader,” she said. “As a journalist, I’m usually on the sidelines writing about something, reporting it. But as one of the royal members of the court, I get to promote this festival that I love and the community that I have loved and served for 42 years.”

For more information and a list of events, visit cherryblossom.com.