The International Festivals & Events Association paid tribute to Macon's International Cherry Blossom Festival on September 27, 2016 during the IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards Ceremony held at the IFEA's 61^st Annual Convention, Expo & Retreat in Tucson, Arizona.

The Festival was presented with three awards in the prestigious IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards competition. Awards were won in the following categories:  Gold - Best Organizational Website, Silver - Best Pin or Button, and Bronze - Best New Attendee Service.

The professional competition draws entries from among the world's top festivals and events.  Winning entries came from organizations as diverse as the St. Louis Art Fair in Missouri, the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses in California, Destination NSW in Australia, Rotterdam Festivals in the Netherlands, and many other festivals from all over the world. Awards were handed out in 68 different categories. Founder Carolyn Crayton and Board Chair Stacy Ingram traveled to Tucson for the convention and to receive the awards on behalf of the Cherry Blossom Festival.

"We would like to congratulate all of our Pinnacle winners for their outstanding entries into this year's competition," said IFEA President and CEO, Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE.

"Find Your Fun!" at the 2017 International Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon from March 24 to April 2.  For more information on the Festival, go to www.cherryblossom.com.