The Cherry Blossom Festival

The Cherry Blossom Festival
11/26/2012
502
Bridges

(Photo Provided by Rebecca Hill)

Cherry Blossom Festival Continues Legacy

 In Japan, it’s their tradition to celebrate new life. However, they are not the only ones.

In Conyers, Ga., around the same time the cherry blossoms bloom, Georgia International Horse Park continues to celebrate with it’s 32nd Annual Cherry Blossom Festival. 

Thirty-two years ago, Maxell, a Japanese owned company who makes blank CDs, DVDs, and other media based products, wanted to share their culture with the city of Conyers. In 1982, the first Cherry Blossom Festival was born. 

The Georgia International Horse Park is located on 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway. 

The Cherry Blossom Festival has games, food, and performances that entertain families and children but also provides cultural awareness through the arts and crafts. Encouraging cultural understanding has been Georgia’s International Horse Park’s top priority. 

There are over 300 booths that contain arts and crafts, vendors, various children’s activities, civic and non-profit organizations. 

According to Rebecca Hill, event manager for Georgia’s International Horse Park, says, “They must undergo a selection process. They fill out applications and take pictures of their craft and get chosen based on that. We pick unique items to be featured in the festival.” 

Not only does the Cherry Blossom Festival cover international cultures, like Japan, but it also covers local cultures that are based in Conyers, Ga., through live performances on the festival stages.

Contest are also present in the festival. The festival is happy to announce hosting it’s Second Annual Pink Out. Participants must wear the cherry blossom colors or they can decorate strollers and wagons. Secret judges roam the plaza to find the best outfits, strollers or wagons. Those that get “pinked” will win prizes such as t-shirts, toys and bags. 

Hungry? The festival believes that food is important to culture. They have a variety of foods that people can try. Food vendors must also apply to be featured in the festival. Proofs of the Pudding will chose the best food vendors out of the application process. 

Craving entertainment? The festival tries its best to insure attendees the best experience possible, making it fresh, new and of course, entertaining. Cultural dances is a huge part of the festival. “We are currently seeking out cultural performers. We have asked the Tampa Taiko drummers to be apart of 2013 Cherry Blossom Festival.” says Rebecca Hill.

Erik Bridges, 14, who went to the festival last year, says, “It’s a nice spot. It has good sorts of activities and very interactive for kids.”

Planning on going to the festival? You can get there by taking the I-20 expressway to Conyers Exit 82. Turn left and travel 3.2 miles. Turn right on Centennial Olympic Parkway and follow to the festival. Admission is free, $5.00 to park and children rides range from a dollar to $7.00. 

The Cherry Blossom is a fun, unique and interactive way to learn about different cultures through food, performances, and arts and crafts. Come visit the Cherry Blossom Festival on March 23 or March 24, 2013 at the Georgia International Horse Park.  For more information visit www.conyerscherryblossomfest.com.