Brookhaven City Council heard a proposal to move its popular cherry blossom festival up a week in 2027 to align with an early Easter calendar.
At the May 26 work session meeting, Brookhaven Events Manager Marcela Cortes recapped the two events associated with the Cherry Blossom Festival – the 5k run the week prior and the festival.
The race drew 633 runners and raised almost $2,900, and the festival, attended by an estimated 63,000 people, raised $263,000; $165,000 from sponsorships and $98,182 from concessions – an increase in revenue of $50,744.
The council complimented Cortes for her hard work for both events, and reviewed suggestions she made for next year, including moving up the 5k and festival dates. The proposed date for the 5k would be March 13, and March 20-21 for the two-day festival.
Based on feedback, Cortes suggested exploring options for a free kid zone, expanding the wireless network to encompass the stage area, and updating sponsorship levels to reflect demand.
“We may be able to provide the bouncy houses for a similar cost to what we currently pay the vendor,” Cortes said.
Staff commented that potential sponsors were contacting festival organizers almost up to the day of the event, trying to get involved, thus showing that interest in participating in the festival is growing.
In other business, the council heard staff reports that included the following:
- The city’s pools are now connected to a Perry Weather, real-time weather channel that will offer updates in the case of inclement conditions. It will report weather-related pool closings, along with estimated times for reopening.
- Tom Roberts, the deputy director of public works, reported that the Executive Park South sidewalk is complete and that the Executive Park will be one of the top priorities for paving in 2026.
- Linda Abaray, the city’s community development director, reported a significant increase in unauthorized tree removals in the city, and said the department is working with the communications department to inform citizens about the permitting process.
- Explore Brookhaven is partnering with DeKalb Lifeline to sponsor Puppy Love Mahjong at City Centre on June 20 from noon to 4 p.m.
- Assistant City Manager Patricia Ruffin reported that the city has completed its certification requirement with the National Wildlife Federation for the community wildlife habitat program.
