BROOKHAVEN'S INAUGURATE CHERRY FEST (2/10/15)

     Great things keep happening in the newly formed City of Brookhaven.  With the recent announcement that the area will benefit from Googlefiber™, residents will now how a faster Internet than most.  MOVADO™ Magazine recently named Brookhaven one of the "Most Exciting Places to Live" in the United States.

     The Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival will celebrate community and the onset of spring on the last weekend in March. There's not a lot of blooms yet, but there is plenty of optimism.

     "This is a first-time event for our new city." said Michael Lee Jr., Communications Manager.   "Attendees will enjoy arts, crafts, great food and entertainment. Festival activities include a 4k  Run and 1k Walk.  Also there will be a Pet Parade, and a Children's Village."

     The event is free, with a long-term goal of attracting people to the City of Brookhaven.  Since August the goal has been to plant up to 350 cherry trees in the area, which will add to the enjoyment of future festivals.

     The best and oldest is the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C.; which started after a gift of Yoshino trees (symbolizing international friendship) was given by the Japanese government in 1912.  The idea of a festival centered around the beautiful trees became very popular.  Since 1927 Americans have been invited to the U.S. Capitol to see the trees and other varieties lining the U.S.Mall, museums, and virtually all of downtown D.C.

      Brookhaven joins Conyers (inception 1980) and Macon (inception1982) as three cities in the state of Georgia which will be hosting cherry blossom festivals annually. 

     "We celebrate the vision of Councilwoman Rebecca Chase-Williams," said Lee, "...her hard working team and others secured funds, and saw that their work would be relevant for Brookhaven."
      “This is really a lifelong investment. We’ll plant the trees, but our children will sit under them.” said Chase-Williams.   “I see an economic development opportunity here,” she said with confidence. 

     Truly, the city has done the homework.  So far about 225 trees have been planted, 140 of which are now growing in Blackburn Park, site of the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival.  

     The park was  chosen because of the walkways which allow plenty of room for vendors, crowds and street performers.  

     Mayor J. Max Davis said he wants Brookhaven to plan more festivals.  “This past fall, we had Live in the Park,” which brought 2,000 people to Blackburn Park. "I am very proud of the combined hard work which made it happen."  

     “This is just the beginning,” smiled Chase-Williams. “You have to take the first step and plant the first tree. You have to start somewhere; it’s an investment in the future.”

     There is still time to volunteer, sponsor, or request a vendor permit.  Visit the city's website for details: http://brookcherryfest.org/

----Ray Macon