Opening Ceremony for the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival March 27, 2015
Greeting by Consul General Sunaga
On March 27, Consul General Sunaga attended the Opening Ceremony for the inaugural Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival (March 27-29). Brookhaven is located in Dekalb County, Georgia.
At the ceremony, Brookhaven Mayor J. Max Davis expressed his joy at opening the first Cherry Blossom Festival and his thanks to all who helped make the festival possible. CG Sunaga then spoke about the first cherry blossom trees Japan sent to the U.S. more than 100 years ago. He went on to share his hope that the friendship between Brookhaven and Japan would continue forever along with the cherry blossom trees.
Afterwards, Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival Chair and Mayor Pro Tem Rebecca Chase Williams introduced the cherry blossom tree, a symbol of peace, good will, and good fortune, as the official tree of the city and that 150 trees were planted last year in Blackburn Park. The Brookhaven original song and tourism mascot ‘Brook’ were also introduced.
Brookhaven Mayor J. Max Davis
Mayor Pro Tem Rebecca Chase Williams
Cherry Blossom Festival
Brookhaven mascot "Brook"
Cherry trees planted in the park