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Conyers highlights Cherry Blossom Festival award and honors student essay winners
Summary
City officials and festival organizers announced the 44th Cherry Blossom Festival this weekend, showed the festival video that won a regional 'best video presentation' award for last year’s festival, and presented prizes to three students in a city essay contest focused on local economic development and retaining young professionals.
Conyers city leaders and festival organizers used the council meeting to promote the upcoming Cherry Blossom Festival, mark a regional award for last year’s festival video, and recognize winners of a city essay contest for high-school seniors.
Festival award and preview: JP (council staff) introduced Jill and Dawn to present highlights of the Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday this weekend. Jill said the festival will mark its 44th annual event, described a weekend lineup that includes tribute bands (Heart of Atlanta and Thunder Gypsy), cultural performances reflecting Japanese roots and groups such as the American Laotian Society and an African Peruvian dancer, a cheer-and-dance showcase featuring multiple teams, a bonsai exhibit, pony rides, a community wishing tree and animal ambassadors in partnership with Georgia DNR.
Organizers showed a festival video produced by partner Lauren Mask; the Southeast Festival and Events Association awarded the festival last year (the 43rd festival) the best video-presentation award, a recognition city staff noted the festival had not previously received. Organizers and council members encouraged residents to attend; staff predicted favorable weather for the weekend.
Student essay contest: The council also recognized three high-school seniors who were the top winners of the city’s “Conyers Celebration of Community” essay contest. The writing prompt asked students what businesses or industries the city should attract to encourage recent graduates to stay or return. The contest targeted seniors at Rockdale County High School, the magnet school and the career academy; staff said the entries will be forwarded to the Conyers Rockdale Economic Development Council for consideration. City staff announced cash prizes: third place $150 (Kavina Dallas), second place $350 (Kenneth Jackson Jr.) and first place $500 (Jassonica Morgan). Councilmember Smith and the mayor participated in the award presentation.
City staff and council members framed both items as part of ongoing youth and community-engagement efforts and encouraged attendance at the festival and support for youth programming.
