MACON, Ga. — The Pinkest Party on Earth will NOT be happening in 2020.
The Cherry Blossom Festival made the announcement at a Friday press conference.
Organizers said they met with Macon-Bibb EMA and public health officials Thursday around 2 p.m. to discuss a course of action.
In that meeting, they discussed the number of cases around Georgia and how communities can slow the spread of the virus.
They also discussed how other large gatherings around the state were addressing the virus.
A vote was held at an executive session after the meeting and it was unanimously decided that the Cherry Blossom Festival would be canceled.
That includes ALL events scheduled to run from the end of March through the beginning of April.
Festival founder, Carolyn Crayton, says she knows this is what's best for the community, but is disappointed that this year "won't be the same" as the last 38.
"I will honestly say I'm sad. We will all miss the festival. It is such a glorious time of the year that brings us all together," says Crayton. "This is just one of those things that nobody expected and nobody wanted."
Macon-Bibb Mayor, Robert Reichert, told board members they made the right decision as coronavirus cases continue popping up across the country.
"You're one of the biggest events of the year with a number of people coming here from all around the country. Your decision will go a long way, I'm confident, in helping prevent the spread of the coronavirus or COVID-19 in the middle Georgia area," says Reichert.
Although the pinkest party on earth won't come in the form of a 10-day festival this year, Crayton says you can still celebrate the beauty of Macon's yoshino cherry trees by watching them bloom across the city this spring.
The 2021 Internatioal Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled for March 19-28th of next year.
This is a developing story and will be updated as we know more.
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