Awards

2023 Awards

Gold

  • Best Organizational Website – cherryblossom.com designed by The Miner Agency
  • Best New Promotion Activity – Trash Can Trot – Thanks to a partnership with Ryland Environmental, a brand-new-event and first-of-its-kind event in the world took place in downtown Macon as spectators got the first glimpse to see who was the fastest in a trash can as teams of two raced down Cherry Street.
  • Best Pin – Pink Poodle Pin
  • Best Festival/Event Merchandise – Stuffed Pink Poodle Toy
  • Best Give-Away Item – Bag of Cherry Blossom Festival goodies
  • Best Targeted Sponsor Solicitation Proposal – Trash Can Trot – Ryland Environmental
  • Best Sponsorship Program for Individual Sponsor – Trash Can Trot – Ryland Environmental
  • Best Individual Sponsor Follow-Up Report – Trash Can Trot – Ryland Environmental

Silver

  • Best Overall Sponsorship Program – Cherry Blossom Festival Sponsors – Stacy Moore
  • Best Overall Entertainment Program – Nightly Concert Series, Shows & Attractions and Bicentennial Performers
  • Best Instagram Site – @pinkestparty – The Miner Agency
  • Best Facebook site – www.facebook/com.cherryblossomfestival – The Miner Agency
  • Best Food and Beverage Program – Food Truck Frenzy ft. Cherry Market
  • Best Digital/Social Ad Series – CBF Event graphics designed by The Miner Agency
  • Best Single Magazine Display Ad – Macon Magazine
  • Best Ad Series – ¿Que Pasa?
  • Best Promotional Photograph – Third Street Park fountain at night
  • Best Outdoor Billboard – Festival Dates – Alex Habersham
  • Best Sponsor Partner – Drew Expositions for their support of the midway at The Festival at Carolyn Crayton Park

Bronze

  • Best Sponsor Gift – Pink Tumbler
  • Best Hat – White hat with pink CBF Logo
  • Best Promotional Brochure – Cherry Blossom Festival Rack Card designed by The Miner Agency
  • Best Parade – Cherry Blossom Parade – 41NBC
  • Best Mobile App – CBF App designed by The Miner Agency
  • Best Full-Length TV Program – Live Broadcast at CCP – WGXA

2022 Awards

Gold

GOLD

  • Best Video Production – “Cherry Blossom Party Time” Original Song by Macon Pops, with lead vocals by Charles Davis and Matt Catingub; rap vocals by Jessica Wornum; background vocals by the Otis Redding Foundation DREAM Team; music and lyrics by Matt Catingub; and video editing by Larry Najera, Jr.
  • Best Multimedia Component – “Cherry Blossom Party Time” Original Song by Macon Pops, with lead vocals by Charles Davis and Matt Catingub; rap vocals by Jessica Wornum; background vocals by the Otis Redding Foundation DREAM Team; music and lyrics by Matt Catingub; and video editing by Larry Najera, Jr.
  • Best Organization Website – cherryblossom.comThe Miner Agency
  • Best Overall Entertainment Program – The Carolyn Crayton Park (CCP) entertainment experience included performances by Headliners viral sensation Walker Hayes, Grammy-winning hip-hop group Arrested Development and county star Niko Moon.
  • Best Event/Program Within an Event to Benefit a Cause – $2 Tuesday at Carolyn Crayton Park benefitting All About Animals Rescue.

Silver

  • Best Event (Within an Existing Festival) – Blossoms at the Big House Harvest Dinner.
  • Best Parade – The Cherry Blossom Parade presented by Geico and supported by 41NBC and Cumulus Macon.
  • Best Facebook Site – TIE – https://www.facebook.com/cherryblossomfestivalmacon
  • Best Digital/Social Ad Series – Digital Ad Series for Festival programming, created by The Miner Agency.
  • Best Street Banner – Cherry Blossom banners displayed on the light posts in downtown Macon by Macon-Bibb County’s Parks and Beautification Director Michael Glisson and his team who help put them up every year.
  • Best Sponsor Gift – A cherry blossom themed Gift Bag
  • Best Overall Sponsorship Program – A true testament to the community’s support and commitment each year.

Bronze

  • Best Full-Length TV Program – Cherry Blossom Parade presented by Geico and supported by 41NBC and Cumulus Macon.
  • Best Mobile Application – The Miner Agency
  • Best Instagram Site – https://www.instagram.com/PinkestParty/
  • Best Pin or Button – Pin designed by Natalie Bradley. The pin features cherry blossoms and Koi fish to honor Japan as the festival celebrated 40 years.
  • Best Give-Away Item – Dog Bandana featured at the Weiner Dog Race featuring Paulk Landscaping, Apparel Authority and Cherry Blossom logos.
  • Best Overall Merchandising Program – The Cherry Blossom Merchandising program features an impressive array of items which can be purchased year-round online, at Visit Macon, and the round building during the Festival’s Carolyn Crayton Park hours.
  • Best Sponsor Partner – Cox Communications was recognized for their continued overall support and partnership with the Festival as well for supporting the Macon-Bibb County Veterans Day Parade in downtown Macon and Celebration at Historic Luther Williams Field.

2019 Awards

Gold

  • Grand Pinnacle Award
  • Best Organizational Website Budget
  • Best Event/Organization E-Newsletter
  • Best Festival/Event Mobile Application
  • Best Pin or Button
  • Best Miscellaneous Clothing (Golf Shirt)
  • Best Overall Merchandising Program
  • Best Event Within an Existing Festival (Pasta on Poplar)

Silver

  • Best Newspaper Insert/Supplement
  • Best Miscellaneous Printed Materials (Single Page)
  • Best New Merchandise
  • Best Sponsor Partner (James H. Drew Exposition)
  • Best Single New Sponsorship Opportunity (Weiner Dog Race Presented by OdoBan)
  • Best Overall Sponsorship Program
  • Best Event/Program within an Event to Benefit a Cause (Road Race for Wesley Glen Ministries)
  • Best New Event (Pasta on Poplar)
  • Best Media Relations Campaign

Bronze

  • Best TV Promotion (Ad spot or PSA)
  • Best Event Website
  • Best Single Magazine Display
  • Best New Promotion Activity (Skate with Your Macon Mayhem Players)

2018 Awards

Gold

  • BEST FESTIVAL/EVENT MOBILE APPLICATION – Macon, Georgia’s International Cherry Blossom Festival’s mobile app, created by The Park Group
  • BEST SINGLE DIGITAL/SOCIAL AD – Digital ad for Macon, Georgia’s International Cherry Blossom Festival’s annual Bed Race event, created by The Park Group
  • BEST PIN OR BUTTON – The Crown of Flowers pin for the 2018 Festival
  • BEST SINGLE NEW SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY – Middle Georgia State University’s School of Aviation partnered with the Cherry Blossom for its Easter Egg Hunt
  • BEST COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM – Led by Antonio Lewis-Ross, South Macon Arts Revitalization Technology’s (SMART) Gospel Extravaganza united all residents, specifically South Macon
  • BEST NEW EVENT – The Hanami Bridge Dinner set on the Pedestrian Bridge at Mercer University

Silver

  • BEST ORGANIZATION WEBSITE
  • BEST MISCELLANEOUS MULTIMEDIA – 13WMAZ posted Cherry Blossom Festival ads on the homepage of its website for the duration of the Festival
  • BEST SPONSOR GIFT – Highball glasses with the Cherry Blossom Festival’s logo were presented to sponsors
  • BEST MEDIA RELATIONS CAMPAIGN – In-kind Media Campaign in partnership

Bronze

  • BEST TV PROMOTION – 13WMAZ created and aired an advertisement for the 2018 Street Party
  • BEST EVENT WEBSITE – https://cherryblossom.com/
  • BEST SOCIAL MEDIA SITE, BEST DIGITAL/SOCIAL AD SERIES – Digital Ad Series for Festival programming, created by The Park Group
  • BEST COMMEMORATIVE POSTER – Art print of Wesleyan College Chapel created by Kelby Haugabook
  • BEST OTHER MERCHANDISE – Cutting Board in the shape of Georgia with the Cherry Blossom Festival logo
  • BEST NEW MERCHANDISE – Growler with Cherry Blossom Festival logo
  • BEST SPONSOR PARTNER – Drew Expositions incredible support of Macon, Georgia’s International Cherry Blossom Festival
  • BEST PARADE, BEST FOOD AND BEVERAGE PROGRAM – The Cherry Blossom Festival’s Food Truck Frenzy
  • BEST NEW PROMOTION ACTIVITY – The Preview Party at Central City Park was a thank you to all city employees elected officials, sponsors and board members

2017 Awards

Gold

  • Best New Event (Gospel Extravaganza hosted by Smart, INC.)
  • Most Creative/Effective News Stunt (13WMAZ’s Ben Jones)
  • Best Event/Program within an Event to Benefit a Cause (The Macon-Bibb Fire Department’s Pink Pancake Breakfast, which benefits the American Cancer Society)
  • Best Event (The Cherry Blossom Street Party)

Silver

  • Best Sponsor Partner (Coca-Cola)
  • Best Single New Sponsorship Opportunity (The Macon Transit Authority)
  • Best Single/Digital Social Ad
  • Best Digital/Social Ad Series
  • Best Vendor/Supplier (Audio Visual Services)
  • Best Social Media Campaign
  • Best Sponsor Gift
  • Best Giveaway Item (A commemorative Coca-Cola bottle)

Bronze

  • Best Radio Promotion (100.9 The Creek)
  • Best Media Relations Campaign
  • Best Pin (Designed by Mark Ballard)
  • Best Overall Merchandising Program
  • Best New Attendee Service (Macon Transit Authority)
  • Best Organizational Website
  • Best Festival/Event Mobile Application

Previous Years

2016

Gold: Best organizational Website (cherryblossom.com)

Silver: Best pin or Button (2016 Cherry Blossom Festival Pin)

Bronze: Best New Attendee Service (Central City park Ticketing System)

2015

Silver: Best Ad Series (Eat, Drink, Be Cherry campaign), Best Food & Beverages Program (Food Truck Frenzy)

Bronze: Best Children’s Programming (Radio Disney ‘On the Road to the RDMA’s Concert’ at Central City Park)

2014

Gold: Best Event Website, Best New Event (Beers, Brats, and Brushstrokes)

Silver: Best Organizational Website, Best Miscellaneous Clothing, Best Community Outreach Program, Best Event within an Event to Benefit a Cause (Pink, White, & Blue Military Ball benefiting “Warriors to Work” of the Wounded Warriors Program), Best Money
Making Idea (Steeple Chase & Blossoms Tour), Best Vendor/Supplier (Drew Exposition Amusement Rides), and Most Creative/Effective News Stunt (96 Year Old Rides Oscar the Camel)

Bronze: Best Emergency Preparedness and Risk Management Plan for an Event (Tunes & Balloons Fireworks Finale), Best Food & Beverage Program (Food Truck Frenzy) and Best Overall Merchandising Program

2013

Gold: Best Pin or Button

Silver: Best A/V Services, Best New Attendee Service (Indoor Street Party)

Bronze: Best Festival/Event Mobile Application, Best Sponsor Partner (The YKK in Macon, Georgia), Best Emergency Preparedness
and Risk Management Plan for an Event, and Best New Promotion Activity (PINS have Privilege).

2012

Gold: Best Festival/Event Mobile Application, Best New Promotion (Bus Wrap)

Silver: Best Newspaper Insert/Supplement, Best Sponsor (Georgia Power), Best Event/Program within an Event to Benefit a Charity (Wesley Glen Road Race)

Bronze: Best Single Newspaper Display Ad, Best Ad Series, Best Miscellaneous Clothing (Scarf), Best Overall Merchandising Program

2011

Gold: Best Street Banner

Silver: Best Single Newspaper Display Ad, Best T-Shirt Design, Best Pin or Button (by an event)

Bronze: Best Event Photograph, Best Miscellaneous Printed Materials (single page), Best Event/Program within an Event to Benefit a Charity (High Heels for a Cure), Best New Promotion (Drink Pink), Best T-Shirt Design, Best Other Merchandise (2011 Commemorative Plate)

2010

Silver: Best Sponsor (Budweiser), Best Event/Program within an Event to Benefit a Charity (Pink Pancake Breakfast), Best Organizational Website, Best Environmental Program (CBF & KMBBC), Best Media Relations Campaign, Best Pin or Button (by an event)

Bronze: Best Single New Sponsorship Program (Cortez Jewelers), Best New Promotion (A Diamond in the Rough – Diamond Giveaway), Best Social Media Site, Best Educational Program (Jack Golden “A Litter Bit Goes A Long Way”), Best Children’s Programming (Cherry Dazzle at Central City Park)

2009

Gold: Best Miscellaneous Printed Materials (single page), Best Media Relations Campaign, Best New Promotion

Silver: Best Educational Program, Best New Event, Best Environmental Program, Best Community Outreach Program (Benefiting the Community), Best Pin or Button (by an event)

2008

Gold: Best Sponsor (Dairyland), Best Environmental Program, Best Event Photograph, Best Community Outreach Program (Benefiting the Community), Best New Event (within an existing festival), Most Creative/Effective News Stunt, Best Media Relations Campaign, Best Promotion Publicizing an IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle

Silver: Best Educational Program, Best Event/Program within an Event to Benefit a Charity, Best Children’s Programming

Bronze: Grand Pinnacle, Best Volunteer Program, Best New Promotion, Best Press/Media Kit, Best Pin or Button (by an event), Best Miscellaneous Clothing

2007

Gold: Grand Pinnacle, Best New Fundraising Program, Best Environmental Program, Best Community Outreach Program, Best New Event (within an existing festival), Best Media Relations Campaign, Best Other Merchandise, Best Overall Merchandising Program

Silver: Most Creative/Effective News Stunt, Best Miscellaneous Clothing,

Bronze: Best Full Length TV Program (national), Best Sponsor (Coca-Cola), Best Educational Program, Best New Promotion, Best Pin or Button

2006

Gold: Best Sponsor (The Medical Center of Central Georgia), Best Environmental Program (Team up to Clean up KMBBC Event), Best Community Outreach Program (Think Pink Campaign), Best New Promotion (WPGA Guest Host Program), Best Children’s Programming (Macon Thunder), Most Creative/Effective News Stunt (Jeanetta Jones on the Weather Channel), Best Media Relations Campaign, Best Other Merchandise (Yoshinos of Macon Book)

Silver: Best Educational Program (Jack Golden “A Litter Bit Goes A Long Way”), Best Event/Program within an Event to Benefit a Charity (2006 Pink Pancake Breakfast), Best New Event (within an existing festival) (Boot Scootin’ Boogie & Casino Night)

Bronze: Best Cover Design Tour of Homes, Best Event Photograph Floats, Flags and Fun, Best New Event (within an existing festival) (Authors Luncheon)

2005

Gold: Best Environmental Program, Best New Fundraising Program, Best Media Relations Campaign, Best Miscellaneous Clothing, Best Overall Merchandising Program

Silver: Best Event/Program to Benefit a Charity, Best Other Merchandise

Bronze: Best Full Length TV Program (local), Best Solicitation Package, Best Single New Sponsorship Program, Best Educational Program, Best Community Outreach Program

2004

Gold: Best Grand Pinnacle, Best Event Photograph, Best Overall Sponsorship

Silver: Best Full Length TV Program (local), Best Solicitation Package

Bronze: Best Event/Organization E-newsletter, Best Environmental Program, Best Community Outreach Program, Best Other Merchandise