Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival in Marshfield, MO

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Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival in Marshfield, MO

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Visit www.cherryblossomfest.com to see all the details about the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival The Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival is open to the public!

Check out the website for more information: www.cherryblossomfest.com

10/26/2026

Happy 98th birthday to Marion Ross!

Here are a few special memories from her 2018 visit to the Cherry Blossom Festival.

10/17/2026

We are pleased to announce that Mary Jean Eisenhower (granddaughter of President Dwight Eisenhower) is the first VIP guest to confirm attendance at the 2027 Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival here in Marshfield, MO. The festival is scheduled for April 22-25. Mary Jean serves as patron of the festival and has been a frequent guest for many years.

09/17/2026

Today, in the Governor’s Office at the Missouri State Capitol, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe ceremoniously signed House Bill 2576, officially recognizing the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival as Missouri’s official state Cherry Blossom Festival. The legislation passed the Missouri Senate as Senate Bill 1544 and officially became law on August 28, 2026.

As the Governor signed the bill, we couldn’t help but think of the countless volunteers, supporters, sponsors, friends and festival guests who have been part of this incredible journey over the past 21 years.

For more than two decades, so many people have believed in the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival, believed in our community, and believed in the dream of creating something truly special in Marshfield. From those who helped get the festival started to the volunteers who have given countless hours, the sponsors who have supported us, the entertainers and speakers who have shared their talents, and the thousands of guests who have joined us over the years — this moment belongs to all of you!

We were especially honored to be joined by Missouri First Lady Claudia Kehoe, who serves as honorary chairwoman of the festival and is the second sitting Missouri First Lady to serve in this role. Her presence made this historic occasion even more special.

A special thank you to Governor Kehoe and his staff for their gracious hospitality and for making this signing ceremony such a memorable occasion. We are also grateful to State Representative Melissa Schmidt for working so hard to arrange today’s ceremony and to State Representative John Black for introducing the legislation.

And a heartfelt thank you to all of our Cherry Blossom friends who, at the eleventh hour, made the trip to Jefferson City to share in this special moment. Having so many familiar faces there made the day extremely meaningful.

It is hard to believe that in April 2027, we will celebrate the 22nd Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival. What began as a dream more than two decades ago has now become an officially recognized state festival.

What a journey. What a moment. What a testament to the power of volunteers, friendship, community and believing in a dream.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival story over the past 21 years. We are honored to share this historic moment with you.

The best is yet to come!

08/28/2026

Today is an incredibly special day for our Cherry Blossom Festival community!

We are proud and excited to announce that, as of today, the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival is officially the official Cherry Blossom Festival of the State of Missouri!

This incredible designation is part of legislation signed into law by Governor Mike Kehoe that includes several important state designations — including the naming of the bridge on State Highway CC crossing over Interstate 44 as the Dr. Tommy Macdonnell Memorial Bridge.

These designations are a tremendous honor and a lasting recognition of the people, history, traditions, and community that make the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival so special. We could not be more proud or excited to see these pieces of our community’s story recognized by the State of Missouri.

A very special THANK YOU goes to State Representative John Black for his tireless hard work in introducing and championing this legislation on our behalf. We are incredibly grateful for his dedication to our festival and our community.

Today, we celebrate not only the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival, but also the people and stories that have made it what it is.

What an honor. What a milestone. What a day!

Thank you to everyone who has supported the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival and helped make this recognition possible.

08/26/2026

Recently, one of our longtime volunteers, Carol Larimore, celebrated her 90th birthday!

Carol has served as co-chairwoman of our annual Cherry Pie Contest for many years and often oversees the making of the delicious cherry pies for the Cherry Blossom Auxiliary fundraiser. She was also honored as a 2024 recipient of the Cherry Blossom Medal.

Carol is truly a blessing to our festival community, and we are so grateful for her years of dedication and service. Please join us in wishing Carol all the best as she begins her 90th year.

08/19/2026

Marshfield is proud to be the home of National First Ladies Day, and we were honored to once again host the national ceremony celebrating this official day honoring America’s First Ladies, observed each year on the last Saturday of April, during our annual Cherry Blossom Festival.

National First Ladies Day started in 2022 during the Cherry Blossom Festival and was founded by our founder, Rev. Nicholas W. Inman. First Ladies Day is a National Day of Service honoring the remarkable women who have served our country alongside our Presidents and those who have continued to make a difference long after their White House years.

During the 2026 Cherry Blossom Festival, held at the Carl and Glessing Young Community Auditorium, the National First Ladies Day Commission hosted a historic signing ceremony with Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW), officially establishing GSW as the academic home of National First Ladies Day. Then-University President Dr. Michelle Johnston attended the ceremony and participated in this important and historic signing.

The connection between National First Ladies Day and GSW is especially meaningful. GSW is the alma mater of Rosalynn Carter, who holds a special place in the history of National First Ladies Day as the first former First Lady to officially recognize the national observance.

That connection brought us back again to Plains, Georgia, this past weekend, where members of the National First Ladies Day Commission traveled to celebrate the 5th annual Butterfly Daze, honoring the life and legacy of Mrs. Carter.

To begin the weekend’s celebration, GSW hosted the inaugural National First Ladies Day Commission Luncheon at the Griffin Bell Golf & Conference Center in Americus, Georgia. The luncheon provided a wonderful opportunity to officially celebrate and recognize this new partnership between GSW and the National First Ladies Day Commission and to reflect on the remarkable legacy of Rosalynn Carter.

We are incredibly proud of the history that connects Marshfield, National First Ladies Day, Georgia Southwestern State University, and Plains, Georgia. What started here in Marshfield continues to grow, bringing people and institutions together to honor the First Ladies of our nation and the lasting contributions they have made.

Here are a few pictures from the inaugural luncheon in Americus, Georgia, along with a memory from the historic signing ceremony held during this year's Cherry Blossom Festival.

07/08/2026

Today, Joyce Inman is celebrating her 90th birthday. Joyce or “Grandma “ as she is called by many in our festival community is an original festival volunteer and remains active as a member of the Cherry Blossom Auxiliary and Cherry Blossom Foundation.

Happy Birthday to one of our most devoted and dedicated volunteers. We wish her many more years of blessings.

She is a 2010 recipient of the Cherry Blossom Medal.

06/28/2026

Happy 94th Birthday weekend to Joyce Minasian!

Joyce has served as one of our Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival pianists for several years and is truly a master of her craft. Her extraordinary talent and beautiful performances have become a cherished part of our festival each spring.

Joyce was honored as a recipient of the 2025 Cherry Blossom Medal and is also a member of the charter class of the Cherry Blossom Colonels.

We wish Joyce a happy birthday and many more wonderful years ahead!

06/18/2026

Our Cherry Blossom Festival community will surely miss the legendary Ronnie Schell (1931–2026), who passed away on June 12.

We fondly remember his appearance at our 2019 festival, where he participated in the Nostalgia Fest Autograph Show and was honored with the Edwin P. Hubble Medal of Initiative.

Ronnie left a remarkable impact on the entertainment industry and he will be remembered by generations of fans.

Here are a few of our festival memories with Ronnie.

06/12/2026

Our Cherry Blossom Festival community was heartbroken today to receive the news that our beloved Margaret Kerry has passed away at the age of 97.

Known affectionately to many of us as the “Queen of the Cherry Blossom Festival,” Margaret was a frequent VIP guest whose kindness, grace, and genuine spirit touched countless lives. She possessed a warm heart, an infectious smile, and was the very definition of a true lady.

Over the years, Margaret became an important part of our festival family. She served as the featured speaker for the annual Cherry Blossom Tea on two occasions, spoke during Cherry Blossom Sunday services, participated in plays, interviews, and special programs, and always brought joy and enthusiasm wherever she went. One of our fondest memories was celebrating her 90th birthday during the festival with a special party surrounded by friends and admirers.

Margaret was much more than a talented entertainer. She was a woman of deep faith, resilience, independence, and determination. She faced life with remarkable grace and remained a true friend to so many of us. Whether she was sharing stories, greeting festival guests, or taking part in one of the many festival events, she left an impression that will never be forgotten.

Although Margaret, the ultimate entertainer, has taken her final curtain call, her memory will remain a cherished part of the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival. Each spring when we gather in Marshfield, we will remember her laughter, her stories, and the joy she brought to our community.

And when we look up into the night sky and search for that “Second Star to the Right,” may we find comfort in picturing Margaret, smiling down on all of us from the Heavens above. Perhaps that star will seem a little brighter now, reminding us of a life well lived, a friendship deeply treasured, and a woman whose kindness and spirit will continue to shine in our hearts for years to come.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and the many fans whose lives she touched throughout her extraordinary journey. Thank you, Margaret, for the memories, the friendship, and the joy you brought to our festival and to all of us who were blessed to know you.

Please enjoy a few of our many Cherry Blossom memories with Margaret in the pictures below.

Address

Marshfield, MO
65706

Website

http://www.cherryblossomfest.com/

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