Another Cherry Blossom Festival comes to an end. The Grand Finale drew a large crowd, as usual. The fireworks display, while cool, could have been longer. The fireworks at Wesleyan are always my favorite because there's nowhere else I have been where you are right smack dab under the fireworks - they're just so close that it makes them that much more spectacular.
Anyway, despite all the bad weather and cancellations, it was an OK festival this year. It was kind of disappointing that the Street Party got canceled and that there were no backup plans for it to be held indoors somewhere. At least we had sunshine for the last day. In fact, it also looks like now that the festival is over we're going to have a bunch of sunshine. :)
Click here for more images from Sunday's events.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Another year over
Children's Parade short and sweet
Click here for photos of the Children's Parade.
Here's some video Liz Fabian shot at the parade:
Crowds flock to Mulberry Street
Well, the rain is gone, but the humidity is just awful today. I headed out to the Mulberry Street Festival a little before noon, trying to get there before the huge crowds and before it got too hot. But it's just no use in avoiding the heat in Georgia, I guess because it was already warm and sticky.
There was a long line at the Greek both by noon, and the other booths seemed to be doing just as well. Piggly Wiggly was even selling T-shirts this year, which I found amusing. But some of the shirts were actually funny. The crowd was fairly large for before noon at the arts festival. There were some empty booth spots where vendors just didn't come at all because of the rain, but who could blame them if they were coming from far away because gas is so expensive these days. There were a lot of jewelry booths set up this year, and a lot of dogs walking the streets. I don't know how it's gotten to be this way, but the Mulberry Street Festival is one that always gets people to bring out their pets with them. And some are so cute, like this one to the right.
Anyway, click here for images from the Mulberry Street Festival.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Mulberry Street Festival canceled Saturday, to go on Sunday
From macon.com:
Mulberry Street Arts Festival canceled for Saturday
Staff reports
Weather is forcing a change with this weekend's Mulberry Street Arts Festival.
Due to forecasts of severe weather by the National Weather Service for Friday evening and Saturday, the Saturday portion of the Mulberry Street Festival has been canceled, according to the Middle Georgia Art Association's Web site.
The Mulberry Festival will still take place Sunday from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Midday festivities move to Terminal Station, crowd follows
I LOVE this photo of CBF Founder Carolyn Crayton with Queen Emily Alston. It was shot by Jason Vorhees. Carolyn is just so prim and proper that I would never imagine her licking away at an ice cream cone. It just goes to show that EVERYONE loves to get in on the cherry ice cream action.
And I mean everyone. The Founders Day Celebration, the final day of Third Street Park festivities, was moved a few blocks down to Terminal Station today because of the weather. I was expecting smaller crowds because of the weather and the quick change of location, but I was wrong. There were long lines outside at the ice cream stations, and a crowd inside for the cake and band, Still Cruisin'. I think the only disappointing thing about the event is that the Coke stand had run out of regular Cokes and Sprites by the time I got there, but that's not so bad.
Click here for a quick look at Friday's event.
More Mark Ballard video
Liz Fabian put together a Best of Ballard video from the fashion show. Enjoy!
Thursday, April 03, 2008
CBF Fashion Show & Luncheon serves up the latest looks
The 2008 CBF Fashion Show and Luncheon served up fun and the latest fashions this afternoon.
Host Mark Ballard didn't disappoint, riding in for his grand entrance on a scooter decorated with pink blossoms this year (many of you will remember last year's lawn mower). He was a little bit nervous about riding it before the event but told me he'd been sure to wear underwear in case he fell off like Kimberly Stewart (Rod Stewart's daughter) did on the red carpet one year. I have to admit that I was a little disappointed that he didn't toss any clothes into the crowd this year and have ladies jumping over each other to try to catch the items - that was a sight I will never forget from last year's event. He did, however, tell the crowd that he'd gotten a spray tan just for the event.
The food, well, it was OK. Pink soup was on the menu again this year, as well as chicken (a little bit chewy), and a delicious chocolate dessert. Each table also came with two wine bottles.
The crowd wasn't quite as crazy this year as it was last year, but maybe that had something to do with the dismal weather. I was also surprised to see a few more men in attendance this year.
The fashions (all from Macon Mall) were really, really cute. There was a lot of black and white, which is totally hot right now. The models did two walk-throughs this year instead of three, but the length of the fashion show was about the same as last year's, maybe a little bit shorter. There was a good variety of models, from young to old, and even Lacie sashayed down the runway.
Click here for a gallery of photos from the event.
Here's some video footage Liz Fabian shot.
Click here and here for more video from the fashion show.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Seeing double in the park for Twins Day
It was Twins Day in the Park followed by "A Bit of Macon's Own" for the musical acts of the night.
The kids were cute, of course - how could they not be? The youngest twins were 4 weeks old, while the oldest were 52. The 52-year-olds came out with their grandchildren, two of which were also twins and who won a prize of their own during the look-alike contest.
Click here for a look at some of the twins in Central City Park on Wednesday night.
The first band to perform for the evening was The Interference. That's them up top, and below is the little girl who kept sitting down next to me. The guitarist told me The Interference has been together for about four months and they perform cover songs and some of their own pieces. You can find them playing at different locations around town. They were pretty good, and I shot some video, but apparently if you get too close to the speaker the sound doesn't come out very well. Ooops. My bad. After them, Mainline was supposed to perform.
I was a little bit skeptical about turnout at Central City Park for the week when I saw the lineup but I'm pleased to learn I was wrong about attendance. I haven't been every night but I have friends who have and I hear turnout has been incredible, except for Saturday and Sunday nights when the weather just wasn't cooperating. Turnout tonight was pretty good, and if you're looking for the best time to come out for the rides, about 4:30 is a good time because the lines aren't that bad. If you come before 3 p.m., though, I think you get a better deal on the rides.
As for the weather. I don't know what's up with all this rain that's been forecast for the entire week, but I have yet to see any of it. Here's hoping it stays that way!
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
A look back at Tuesday
From a shoe decorating contest during the Pink in the Park day at Central City Park to more free ice cream, click here for a look back at Tuesday's CBF events.
Rain won't stop the music
From the CBF office: The weather won't keep Margaritaville night from going on. If it rains, there will be an acoustic version in the Round Building at Central City Park.
Dancing with blossoms
Liz Fabian went the American Ballroom Classic last night. Click here for her footage.
CBF featured on Steve and DC radio show
I got in the car this morning to come to work and Steve and DC (of a somewhat national morning show playing on 95.1) were talking about the Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, GA. I caught the tail end of it so I'm not sure how they got started, but they had at least one listener call in from Macon before they spoke with Stacy Campbell, marketing director of the festival. Stacy talked about Friday night's Party with a Purpose event and the upcoming Street Party. I thought that was a pretty neat way to start the day!