William Arthur Fickling, Sr. - Father of Cherry Blossoms
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Images
William Arthur Fickling, Sr. - Father of Cherry Blossoms Historic Marker
William Arthur Fickling, Sr. - Father of Cherry Blossoms
Cherry Blossom Trail during the festival
Macon in Cherry Blossom bloom
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
The Cherry Blossom Festival
The Macon International Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the biggest cherry blossom festivals in the United States, and over the course of ten days in Macon, visitors from all over come to Macon to see and experience the spectacular display as Macon turns into a pink, cotton-spun paradise with over 300,000 Yoshino cherry trees in bloom.
The festival was born in 1982 due to the Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Commission, and the festival was developed around the idea of “love, beauty, and international friendship.”1 In addition to watching the cherry trees in full bloom, residents and guests can attend the Mulberry Street Festival, the International Food Fair, the Cherry Blossom Street Party, a Balloon Fest, an Air Show, and the acclaimed Cherry Blossom Festival Grand Finale. Today, Macon continues to see a growth in its Yoshino cherry trees, as the Fickling Family Foundation continues to donate to Macon and Bibb County residents every year.1
Historic Marker Inscription
In grateful memory of William Arthur Fickling, Sr. (1903 - 1990), a long time resident of Macon and Bibb County and leader in numerous civic, governmental, religious and charitable organizations and activities.
Mr. Fickling’s broad ranging interests included Wesleyan College, Macon Chamber of Commerce, Bibb County Commission, a number of charitable organizations and Mulberry Street United Methodist Church.
Recipient of numerous awards for his service and contributions, Mr. Fickling was the inspiration for the Cherry Blossom Festival. He gave more than 180,000 Yoshino Cherry Trees to be planted throughout Bibb County. A result of that gift was the Cherry Blossom Festival, which has annually brought thousands of visitors to Macon and is recognized as a premier tourist attraction. Known for his honesty, fearlessness, and dedication to public service Mr. Fickling is widely recognized as one of Macon’s most influential and outstanding citizens.2