The first 2,000 children wearing any baseball apparel will receive a FREE cherry blossom donut at the end of the GEICO Pink on Pink Parade. The donuts will be distributed in Rosa Parks Square in front of the Government Center (formerly Macon City Hall) located on Poplar and First Streets immediately after the parade. Dr. Gaudet, the Parade’s Grand Marshal, and a corps of volunteers will personally greet the children and distribute the donuts created especially for the GEICO Pink on Pink Parade by Publix.

This year’s Cherry Blossom Parade presented by GEICO offers one of the most unique promotions in Festival history in conjunction with Grand Marshal, Dr. Jim Gaudet, founder of the Gaudet All-Star Baseball Camp, who for 25 years hosted two generations of children – more than 13,000 boys and girls at his free baseball camp.

Dr. Gaudet is a board member of Men About Change, a local after-school program for underprivileged children. His wife Jami serves on the board of new local organization, Macon RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities). Children from both groups will march behind Dr. Gaudet in the parade.

Continuing the baseball theme, Dr. Gaudet and the Cherry Blossom Festival invite all children to wear any type of baseball apparel to the parade – a baseball cap, jersey, uniform, or any Gaudet All-Star Baseball Camp T-shirt.

The donuts are sponsored by the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, Jim and Jami Gaudet, and Publix.

According to Cherry Blossom President and CEO Jake Ferro, “The Cherry Blossom Festival is continually searching for new and innovative ways to amplify the parade and entice spectators. Dr. Gaudet’s link to children and baseball is a perfect springboard to showcase two exemplary local organizations devoted to improving the lives of children. We’re thrilled to offer everyone the opportunity to enjoy our beautiful parade—with donuts awaiting children afterward. Any remaining donuts will be donated to local charities.