Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival
 Passionate About Pink
March 24 & 25, 2012

Presented By:

Georgia International Horse Park
10 a.m.-5 p.m. (rain or shine)

 

The City of Conyers is proud to present the 31st Annual Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival on March 24 and 25, 2012 at the Georgia International Horse Park.  We are "Passionate About Pink" as Spring brings upon the beautiful, yet brief, pink blossoms on the cherry trees.  The Cherry Blossom Festival originated as a way to encourage cultural understanding and friendship through international music, dance, games, food and crafts. The festival offers multiple stages for continuous entertainment, over 300 booths consisting of arts and crafts vendors, various children's activities and civic and nonprofit organizations.  The hours of the festival are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.  There is a $5.00 charge for parking for one day parking or an $8.00 parking pass is an option to attend both days of the festival.  There is no admission fee.  No pets please! 

The 2012 Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival is an event marking the Centennial Celebration of the Gift of Cherry Trees from Japan to the United States.  In 1912, an incredible gift of 3,000 cherry blossom trees was presented to the United States by Tokyo, Japan as a symbol of international friendship.  The Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival is excited to celebrate with you the 100th Anniversary of the Gift of Trees.


The Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival would like to say "Thank You" to the businesses that make this community event possible.  Click here to view the 2012 Sponsors.

 
Have a Pinktastic Day at the Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival!
The Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates fun, family and tradition with live entertainment, arts & crafts, food, and children's activities.

           

Festival Highlights

• Join the Pink Out!  Wear the cherry blossom colors (pink and green) or decorate your stroller or wagon to be a part of the 2012 Pink Out.  Judges will be roaming the festival plaza in search of the best outfits, decorated strollers and wagons.  If you get "pinked" during the festival by a judge, you have won a prize! 
  
• Shop in the pink!  Wearing your festival colors, shop among hundreds of art and craft exhibitors showcasing unique handmade goods.  300 artist booths line the festival plaza selling items such as jewelry, toys, clothing, accessories, furniture, yard art, bath products, pet supplies and much more.
• Win $100 in Blossom Bucks to spend among the art and craft exhibitors!  "Like" the Georgia International Horse Park on Facebook for your chance to win.  One lucky friend of the Georgia International Horse Park will win $100 in Blossom Bucks during the month of March! 
  
• Experience Japanese culture during one of the cultural performances on the main stage.  You don't want to miss the beauty of traditional Japanese dances or the excitement of the drum dances.
• Catch the high-flying action of the Ultimate Air Dog show presented by Ingles and the Rockdale/Newton Citizen. 
  
• What better way to experience different cultures and traditions than with your taste buds!  The festival's food courts offer a variety of international treats and your festival favorites such as funnel cakes, Italian ice, hamburgers and hot dogs. 
  
• Play in the large, interactive children's area filled with moonwalks, rockwalls, obstacle courses and much more.
• Enjoy the local culture during one of the live band or dance group performances on one of the festival's stages.
• Purchase your very own cherry tree to enjoy in your yard throughout the year!  The Master Gardener Extension Volunteers will be selling ornamental cherry trees and herbs.  They can also answer any of your gardening questions. 
  
• Don't miss the mind blowing slight-of-hand magic and sidesplitting comedy of Magician Michael Boone.
• Visit the Splash into Art booth to experience art first-hand at this interactive activity.  
• Take the TouchPoll Survey and let us know what you think about the festival.  The first 100 survey takers each day receives a Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival hat that will help you join in the Pink Out!
  
• Celebrate the cherry blossom season all month long by attending one of the auxiliary events prior to the festival.
  

	Matsuri Diako Experience the excitement and wonder of Matsuri Diako, the Festival of the Drums.  This Japanese art form demonstrates the physically demanding drums complemented by karate influenced choreography along with the more traditional communal dance and song routine. Matsuri Diako will perform on Stage 1 on Saturday at 1:00pm.  Click here to view the entire entertainment schedule.

 

Join the Pink Out! Wear the festival colors, pink and green, or decorate your stroller and wagon.  Judges will be roaming the festival, searching for the best dressed individuals or best decorated strollers and wagons.  If you get "Pinked," you have won of many great prizes!   Win Gift Certificates and Great Discounts from: Conyers Flower Shop, Mellow Mushroom, Cherokee Run Golf Club, Hawthorn Suites, and the Georgia Aquarium.

 

	Atlanta Puppet Show Enjoy the Atlanta Puppet Show on the festival plaza featuring international marionettes and other puppetry styles performed by Master Puppeteer Peter Hart.  Peter presents puppet programs that are superior entertainment for family audiences of all ages.

 

	Magician Michael Boone With mind blowing sleight-of-hand magic and sidesplitting comedy, Magician Michael Boone hits the full spectrum of entertainment. Don't miss his stage show and look for Michael as he strolls through the festival plaza.  Michael Boone will perform on Stage 1 at 12:00pm on Saturday and Sunday.  Click here to view the entire entertainment schedule.

 

	Ultimate Air Dog Show Presented by Ingles and Rockdale/Newton Citizen Enjoy the high-flying excitement of the Ultimate Air Dog Show.  These athletic K-9's leap from the dock and splash into the large pool of water.  The dog with the longest jump will take home the prize!

 

International Food Court Tempt your taste buds as your tour the International Food Court featuring meals and treats from around the world.  Be sure to visit the other food courts for your festival favorites:  funnel cakes, cup cakes,  cotton candy, ice cream and much more! Greek Cuisine:  Europpean Delight Filipino:  Eggrollin' Thai:  Chef Hogate Italian:  Refreshment Concepts (Gelato) American:  Williamson Bros. BBQ, Always Sweet, Southern Concessions, Proof of the Pudding, Deep Fried Brownies

 

Cherry Blossom Festival T-shirt Discount A Cherry Blossom Festival T-shirt is the perfect event souvenir!  Scan this QR Code with your Smart Phone to receive a $2 discount on the purchase of your festival T-shirt.  Simply present the discount message on your phone when you visit the Cherry Blossom Festival merchandise booth.

Get Your Pink On All Month Long!

Click here to view the entire Calendar of Events

Learn more about Cherry Blossom Festival activities throughout the entire month of March.  Great community events and organizations host festivities such as the Cherry Blossom Festival Pageant, Walk with Angels, Cherry Blossom Croquet Tournament, and the Cherry Blossom Golf Tournament.  Celebrate the cherry blossom season all month long!

 

Exhibitor Information
The deadline for exhibitor, food vendor and entertainment applications is December 30, 2011.  Applications will still be accepted after the deadline within open categories with a late fee.  There is no deadline for Corporate booths and sponsorships!  Click on the link below to download an application for the 31st Annual Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival.  If you have questions regarding how to apply to be a part of the Cherry Blossom Festival, contact the Georgia International Horse Park, 770-860-4190.  Email

Sponsors or commercial exhibitors wishing to be a part of the Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival should contact JRM Management Services, Inc.  There is no deadline for sponsors or commercial exhibitors!  Call or email JRM Management today!

JRM Management Services, Inc.
770-423-1330
P.O. Box 777
Kennesaw, GA  30156
Email
Sponsorship Information

Exhibitor Application 2012    (Contact:  Rhonda Young 770-860-4190)
Food Vendor Application 2012    (Contact:  Jil Goodson  770-860-4192)
Entertainment Application 2012  (Contact:  Jill Miller   770-860-4194)

Volunteer Information
Each year the Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival relies on the time, commitment, and hard work of volunteers to plan our celebration in the months preceding March, and to handle the many demands during the festival. Volunteers may assist with distributing flyers, vendor set-up and load-out, information booth, contests, and collecting parking fees, to name just a few volunteer tasks. Volunteering for this annual event is a great way to give back to the community and have fun at the same time!

If you would like to be part of the Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival, contact the Conyers Welcome Center at 770-602-2606!

Fun Facts About Cherry Blossoms:

Japanese cherry blossom trees do not actually produce cherries.

There are over 200 varieties of cherry blossom trees in Japan, although the most popular is the Yoshino.

Flower viewing, or hanami, has been enjoyed in Japan from as early as 300AD.

The 100 yen coin (about $1), has a cherry blossom etched on its back.

Cherry blossoms are omens of good fortune, particularly if they fall in your hair or drink, and they are also symbols of love, affection and spring time.

While in America apples and fall symbolize the start of a new school year, in Japan cherry blossoms cover teachers' bulletin boards, welcoming new students in April.

Fun Facts About Japan:

The entire country of Japan is about the same size as the state of California.

The average commute for a worker in Tokyo is 2 hours, one-way.

The Japanese language uses 3 different alphabets, with over 2000 common symbols.

The staple food in the Japanese diet is white, sticky rice.  Because it sticks together so well, it is quite easy to eat with chopsticks, unlike its American long-grain counterpart.  (Japanese people would use a spoon with American rice).

Japanese people take off their shoes and change into slippers when entering many buildings, including:  private residences, schools, doctors' offices, temples, hotels, traditional restaurants and bars, and even many tourist sites.

The most popular holiday in Japan is New Years, celebrated on the same day as the US, but with special traditional food, family time, and shrine visits.