2027 Festival at CCP Non-Profit Information Booth

The Festival's nonprofit participation program is designed to highlight service-based organizations that provide direct community resources, programs, education, or assistance to the general public.

This application is for service-based nonprofit organizations, charitable groups, and community organizations interested in participating at the Festival at Carolyn Crayton Park (CCP) during the International Cherry Blossom Festival.

The Festival at CCP is the entertainment hub of the International Cherry Blossom Festival, featuring 10 days of amusement rides, live entertainment, nightly headliners, attractions, and crave-worthy food. Participating organizations have the opportunity to engage with thousands of Festival guests by sharing information about their mission, services, programs, volunteer opportunities, and community impact.

The Festival welcomes organizations that strengthen our community through education, outreach, cultural enrichment, health and wellness, environmental initiatives, and other charitable programs.

Application Fee

• A non-refundable application fee of $25 is required.
• A 4% merchant processing fee will be applied.

Application Deadline

• Applications must be submitted by February 5, 2027
  Applications may close earlier once all available spaces have been filled.
• Applicants will be notified of acceptance or denial no later than: February 12, 2027
• Participation is by invitation and approval of the International Cherry Blossom Festival. Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance. Applications will be reviewed based on the organization's services, proposed onsite activities, overall fit with the Festival environment, availble space, and the Festival's goal of providing a balanced variety of community resources. The Festival reserves the right to decline any application or limit participation based on program needs, space availability, duplication of services or overall event fit.

Event Location

• Carolyn Crayton Park
  115 Willie Smokie Glover Drive
  Macon, GA 31201

Festival Dates and Hours

• March 19–28, 2027
  • Friday, March 19: 11:45 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Saturday, March 20: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Sunday, March 21 – Thursday, March 25: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Friday, March 26: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  • Saturday, March 27: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Sunday, March 28: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Eligibility Requirements

• Participation is open to organizations that:
• Provide educational, civic, health, cultural, environmental, charitable, or other community-focused services.
• Operate primarily for the benefit of the community.
• Provide documentation of nonprofit status, organizational purpose, or services provided upon request.
• All sales, fundraising activities, displays, merchandise, and interactive activities require Festival approval.

Organizations Not Eligible to Participate

To maintain a welcoming, inclusive, and family-friendly environment, the Festival does not accept applications from organizations or activities that:

• Primarily engage in political campaigning, candidate advocacy, political fundraising, lobbying, or election-related activities.
• Promote or oppose specific political parties, candidates, legislation, or ballot initiatives.
• Use booth space for campaigning, petition drives, signature collection, electioneering, lobbying, or political fundraising.
• Participate primarily for religious recruitment, conversion, or proselytizing. Faith-based organizations providing community services, education, outreach, or charitable programs may be considered.
• Promote hate, discrimination, harassment, or exclusion.
• Promote illegal activities or prohibited products or services.
• Sell, distribute, or promote firearms, weapons, recreational drugs, tobacco, vaping products, or other restricted goods.
• Create safety, security, or operational concerns.
• Present messaging, materials, or activities inconsistent with a family-oriented public event.

Booth Requirements & Operations

• All booth spaces are located outdoors.
• The Festival provides booth assignments and is responsible for the overall event layout.
• Participating organizations must:
  • Provide all necessary booth equipment, including tents, tables, chairs, displays, and supplies.
  • Be fully set up and ready before park opening each day.
  • Remain open during all approved Festival operating hours.
  • Staff the booth at all times.
  • Maintain a clean, safe, attractive, and professional display.
  • Remain within the assigned booth location.
  • Remove and reset displays if not participating on consecutive approved days.
• Booth locations may not be moved without written approval from the Festival.
• Organizations may not sublease, share, donate, transfer, or allow another organization or business to advertise within their assigned space.
• The Festival operates rain or shine.

RV Camping

• RV camping space is not available for nonprofit organizations.

Power Requirements

• Power is not provided.
• Organizations requiring electricity must provide their own generator and follow all Festival safety requirements.

Food, Beverage & Fundraising Activities

• Organizations may share information about their mission, programs, services, and volunteer opportunities.
• Approved fundraising activities must be disclosed during the application process.
• Organizations may not distribute, sell, provide, or sample food, beverages, or other consumable products unless expressly approved in writing by the Festival.

Amplified Sound

• Amplified sound is not permitted in nonprofit booth spaces.  This includes, but is not limited to speakers, microphones, music, announcements or any other amplified audio equipment.  
• Nonprofit participants must conduct activities in a manner that does not disrupt neighborhing participants, Festival entertainment, attractions, public announcements, or overall guest experience.

Additional Participation Restrictions

The Festival may deny or revoke participation for organizations that:

• Are primarily commercial in nature or focused on sales, customer acquisition, or lead generation unless approved under another Festival category.
• Operate as multi-level marketing (MLM), direct sales, or recruitment-based organizations.
• Aggressively solicit donations or approach guests outside their assigned booth area.
• Collect attendee information, including emails, phone numbers, surveys, or other personal data, without prior Festival approval.
• Distribute unapproved petitions, surveys, advocacy materials, or political materials.
• Provide medical, legal, financial, or professional services without proper licensing, credentials, and Festival approval.
• Offer merchandise, food, beverages, or services without required permits or approvals.
• Conflict with Festival sponsors, partners, or contractual obligations.
• Have previously failed to comply with Festival rules, deadlines, payment requirements, or staff direction.
• Create excessive noise, crowding, or disruption to neighboring exhibitors or Festival operations. 

Guest Interaction & Solicitation Policy

• Organizations are encouraged to engage guests in a friendly and welcoming manner.
• Participants may invite guests into their booth but may not:
  • Stop, block, or interfere with pedestrian traffic.
  • Repeatedly approach guests outside their assigned space.
  • Engage in aggressive solicitation.
• Distribution of literature, promotional materials, or giveaways must remain within the assigned booth area unless otherwise approved.

Alcohol & Drug Policy

• Consumption or use of alcohol or illegal drugs by participating organizations, employees, volunteers, or representatives during Festival participation is strictly prohibited.
• Failure to comply may result in immediate removal from the Festival.

Insurance Requirements

• Vendor must provide proof of insurance through the issuance of a certificate of insurance and showing coverage and limits as specified below. Endorsements must be provided showing additional insured status has been granted. Certificates and Endorsements must be provided prior to the beginning of the Festival by February 26, 2027.
• Vendor shall maintain coverage as follows: (1) Commercial General Liability: $1,000,000 aggregate, which should include coverage for: Personal Injury, Completed Operations, Independent Contractors, Liability assumed under “insured contract,” and Medical Payments and any necessary provisions regarding Vendor’s products or services; (2) Workers Compensation: Statutory Limits.
• The Insurance must provide the following: (1) Macon Georgia Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc., together with its Board of Directors, Officers, Staff and Agents, must be added to the policy as additional insureds for General Liability Insurance by endorsement; (2) The certificate of insurance or endorsement must state that this insurance is primary and written on a non-contributory basis as to any other valid and collectible insurance or self-insurance in force.
• Macon Georgia Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc. reserves the right to modify these requirements at any time, including limits based on the nature of the risk, prior experience, insurer, coverage, or other special circumstances.  

Parking Passes

• The Cherry Blossom Festival will provide each participating nonprofit organization with two (2) vendor parking passes for each approved participation day. Vendor parking passes are intended only for vehicles belonging to staff or volunteers actively working the nonprofit booth and provide access to designated vendor parking areas.
• If selected to receive vendor parking passes, organizations will be required to provide the name and contact information of the individuals who will be using the organization's vendor parking passes.
• All other participants, guests, and additional vehicles must park in designated general parking areas on a first-come, first-served basis. General parking areas may fill to capacity, and parking availability is not guaranteed.
• Additional vendor parking passes will not be available for purchase. Vendor parking passes are limited, non-transferable, and may not be sold, shared, or distributed to individuals who are not affiliated with the participating organization.

Entry Tickets

• Each approved nonprofit organization will receive five (5) entry tickets per approved participation day. Entry tickets are intended for staff or volunteers actively working the nonprofit booth and may only be used by individuals affiliated with the participating organization.
• Organizations receiving entry tickets must provide the name and contact information of the individuals assigned to use the tickets. Additional entry tickets will not be available.
• Entry tickets are non-transferable and may not be sold, shared, or distributed.

Conduct Expectations

Approved organizations agree to:

• Maintain a welcoming, respectful, inclusive, and family-friendly environment.
• Conduct themselves professionally.
• Display only approved materials and activities.
• Follow Festival policies and safety requirements.
• Follow instructions from Festival staff, security personnel, law enforcement, fire personnel, and emergency responders. 

Festival Authority

• The International Cherry Blossom Festival reserves the right to deny, revoke, suspend, or terminate participation at any time if an organization or representative:
  • Violates Festival policies.
  • Provides false or misleading information.
  • Fails to comply with Festival staff direction.
  • Creates safety or operational concerns.
  • Negatively impacts the experience of guests, exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers, staff, or partners.
• Festival management reserves the sole right to interpret and enforce these guidelines. Organizations or individuals may be required to modify displays, discontinue activities, or leave Festival property immediately if deemed necessary.
• Removal from the Festival may occur without refund and at the sole discretion of Festival management.