This Cherry Blossom Festival Turns Its Town And Restaurant Dishes Pink

For 41 years Macon, Georgia has hosted “The Pinkest Party on Earth” every March during their annual Cherry Blossom Festival. For 10 days the entire city turns pink as more than 350,000 Yoshino cherry trees are in full bloom (by comparison Washington D.C. has 3,800). This year the festival will take place from March 17th to 26th with concerts, amusement rides, arts & crafts fairs, Wiener dog races, parades, and more.

Literally everything from the garbage cans to the water fountains are pink in Macon as they celebrate this annual pink party and traditions run deep with an annual mattress race down Cherry Street and the crowning of Cherry Blossom Princesses, Queens and Legacy Queens.

Macon’s Downtown restaurants get into the spirit as well. Many paint their windows and feature special menu items with everything from pink tostadas and pink grits to Cherry French toast, cherry ice cream, pink donuts, and cherry cokes. In fact, this year a new Pink Provisions self-guided tour will help visitors eat and drink their way through all things pink with dozens of Macon restaurants and bars participating in the rose-colored fun.

Here are 11 can’t miss cherry-filled pink bites and beverages you’ll find at this year’s festival:

“CBF” Sandwich at Satterfield’s Barbecue

A slow-smoked pulled pork sandwich topped with a cherry coke BBQ sauce, pink slaw, and pink pickled onions served on a local Victory Bagels bun.

Brioche Cherry Blossom Bombs at Oh Honey Baking Co

This delightful treat is made with fresh brioche dough with an almond, brown sugar, and cherry filling, then it’s drizzled with a brown butter and cherry icing.

Cherry Blossom Cocktail at Hotel Forty Five

A cherry forward cocktail made with St. Germain, Marlene Rose, lemon juice, cherry juice and basil leaves. It starts sweet and then finishes with a smooth rose flavor.

Yoshi Beer at Fall Line Brewing Co.

A cherry pilsner that’s light and refreshing brewed with cherries and served in a perfectly pink can. Distributed all over the state of Georgia, Yoshi (short for Yoshino Cherry Tree) tastes like springtime pays homage to its hometown and the 350,000 cherry trees.

Cherry Bruschetta at Grow Fresh

A locally made crostini topped with black cherry compote, cracked pepper goat cheese spread, and candied locally grown pecans.

Tres Cherry Blossoms Cake at Tzango Cocina

A take on the traditional Latin American tres leches sponge cake — this one has a sweet cherry twist.

Pink Tortillas at Yollah

Yollah makes their flour tortillas fresh every day. During the Cherry Blossom Festival they make them pink to honor this special time of the year.

French Blossom at Philosophie Wine Bar

The French Blossom is made with classic brut champagne, lemon juice, and it’s finished with Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin that’s infused with Shiraz grapes from the Yarra Valley in Australia. Garnished with an Amarena cherry and edible apple blossom flower, it’s a lovely shade of light pink.

Sakura Spring at Quill Cocktail Bar

Similar to a Paloma, but uses grenadine instead of grapefruit, the Sakura Spring is made with Mi Blanco tequila and homemade grenadine. Quill then adds a sprinkle of Maldon Sea Salt and a splash of sparkling water.

Shimmering Pink Lemonade at Hello Boba

This delicious lychee pink lemonade comes with strawberry popping boba and shimmer. Unlike traditional boba, which is tapioca-based, popping boba has fruit juice inside so you get a nice burst of flavor once it’s popped, adding some fun to the beverage.

Cherry Blossom Latte at Z Beans Coffee

Available hot or iced, the Cherry Blossom Latte contains Z Beans housemade vanilla syrup, DaVinci Cherry Syrup, milk of choice, and freshly roasted Z Beans Coffee from farmers in Ecuador. The iced version is topped off with either vanilla or cherry cold foam to give the drink a layered look.

Those who can’t make it to Macon in time for the beautiful blooms can take a peek at the live “Bloom Cam” feed that streams the Yoshino cherry trees as they bloom and announce the arrival of spring.