Conyers’ first cherry trees were donated by Hideo Ogino, former President of Maxell Corporation of America. To further nurture the friendship and exchange of Japanese culture, in 1982, Maxell along with the Chamber of Commerce, held the first Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival. The festival featured Japanese cooking classes, silk flower arranging, Oriental doll exhibits, Origami exhibits, Kabuki theater, bonsai tree exhibits, karate demonstrations and a Haiku contest.
From that simple beginning, the event has grown to include thousands of participants from many diverse cultures. Scheduled during the blossoming of the beautiful Yoshino Cherry Trees, the festival encourages cultural understanding and friendship through international music, dance, arts, crafts, food, games and entertainment for all ages.
In 1991, the Conyers Cherry Blossom Foundation was formed to organize and oversee the festival and related events. Due to the growth in attendance and exhibitors, the Foundation found it necessary to relocate the festival from the grounds of Maxell. In 1997, the Foundation selected the Georgia International Horse Park, site of the 1996 Olympic Equestrian events, for the location of the festival. In 1999, the Foundation contracted with the City of Conyers and the Georgia International Horse Park to oversee and present the annual Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival. In 2006, the City of Conyers received full rights to the festival and looks forward to carrying on the tradition of this important community event.