Help to #PaintMaconPink During This Year’s International Cherry Blossom Festival
Local Businesses and Macon-Bibb Community Members are Encouraged to Be a Part of the Festivities and to Contribute to Macon, Georgia transforming into the “Pinkest Party on Earth!” and could win $$$ in return!


Visit Macon and NewTown Macon have partnered together to further their support of the 2025 International Cherry Blossom Festival and to rally residents and businesses in advance of this year’s festivities.
#PaintMaconPink is a pink-filled community branding effort to honor this historic festival and have that community pride on full display when visitors make their way to our area this year! It will also serve as a chance to globally market the efforts of the community by documenting the process of making an entire community glow up for the celebration. We encourage the Macon-Bibb community, community leaders, Georgia residents and even corporate brands, celebrations & celebrators around the world to share their pink creations!
“From the cherry blossoms that adorn our streets and hillsides to the vibrant energy of our
community, pink is more than just a color in Macon—it’s a celebration. Here we honor the beauty of the cherry blossom and the spirit of togetherness that unites us all under one, uniquely woven tapestry of pink. Whether it’s our signature festival at Carolyn Crayton Park – our parades, parties and all the festivities in between – we’re painting Macon pink this year and every year, making it into a living, breathing work of art. So, join us as we embrace the color of joy, love, and life itself and celebrate Macon, blossoms or not.” says Stacy Moore, President & CEO of the International Cherry Blossom Festival.
Last year, Macon-Bibb Co. welcomed an estimated 186,367 unique visitors from all distances during the 10-day festival (a 16% increase over 2023). Visit Macon, with data available from Tourism Economics, Datafy, and Explore Georgia, found that 34.7% of all attendees were from out of state, with an estimated total of 38,338 unique visitors from outside a distance of 50 miles or more (an increase of 6% over the previous year).
The economic impact of the 2024 festival timeframe is estimated at $6.1 million. Up from 5.5 million from 2023.
“We anticipate continued growth of this year’s festival.” says Gary Wheat, President & CEO of Visit Macon. “And, we know that in order for visitors to continue to choose Macon, we have to come together as a community to produce the best possible experience throughout our destination.
“While Stacy Moore and the fantastic team at Cherry Blossom, their board of directors and all of its dedicated volunteers, continue to build and expand the event, we understand that the focus on sanctioned events and community activation becomes a lot to manage. We are thrilled to throw all of our support behind the festival each year and by joining forces with NewTown Macon, we can really #PaintMaconPink!
“We will continue to market this community during its signature festival and our constant anticipation of Mother Nature doing her job to make the cherry blossoms bloom during the window we so desperately hope for!” continues Wheat. “We want to ensure that ‘The Pinkest Party on Earth’ shows up in full glory, and that the party atmosphere is in the air throughout Macon, regardless of the blossoms.”
“You got this Mother Nature!”
“In the lead-up to the festival, we'll launch #PaintMaconPink on social media and encourage Macon to use the hashtag as well!” explains NewTown Macon’s Director of Marketing, Hailie Poppell Williams. “We’ll invite the Macon community, Macon businesses, those all over Georgia, and even the world to share their very own pink creations on social media. This user-generated content will help us curate a gallery, with top submissions being featured across various media platforms.”
“We will be encouraging Downtown Macon businesses – especially those in the Welcome Loop of our historic and award-winning Downtown – to go BIG and let the spirit of the Cherry Blossom Festival literally spill out from their business establishments and onto the streets!“ continues Williams. “Visit Macon and NewTown Macon will be offering an inaugural opportunity to earn up to $250 in supplies and decor to help with your storefront decoration plans! Anyone can apply, and grants will be awarded based on your application and/or plans for your Instagram-worthy storefront!”
Additionally, a cash prize will then be awarded to 3 businesses that really make the biggest splash! Award categories will include:
Best in Show
Awarded to the storefront that judges determined went all in, creating a stunning and impactful display that successfully enhanced the pinkest party! $1500 cash prize
Eco-Champion
Awarded to the business making the best use of recycled, upcycled and repurposed materials in their decor/display. Mother Nature works hard for us this time of year… let’s show her our appreciation! $1000 cash prize
Show Stopper
Awarded to the business that earns the most photo opps, provides a perfect opportunity for videos, reels and TikTok creators, gets the most shares across social media channels, and proves to be a festival-favorite across feeds! $1000 cash prize
For more information, please contact Visit Macon’s Director of Marketing, Marisa Rodgers, at (478) 743-1074 x106 or email mrodgers@visitmacon.org.