Newton Citizen

CONYERS — Even though the Cherry Blossom Festival isn’t until the end of March, several events precede the annual weekend.

Events kick off Saturday, Feb. 23, with the 2013 Miss Conyers Cherry Blossom Scholarship Pageant. The youth pageant will begin at 10 a.m., and the Miss Georgia preliminary pageant begins at 7 p.m. at the Rockdale Auditorium.

Three girls will represent the Conyers Cherry Blossom at the Miss Georgia Pageant in Columbus in June.

More information is available at www.georgiapageants.net.

The 2013 Walk with Angels, which will benefit the Kimberley Chance Atkins Foundation, also is part of the Cherry Blossom Calendar of Events. It is scheduled for 8 a.m. March 2 in Olde Town Conyers.

More information is available at www.kimatkins.net.

Several annual tournaments also precede the Cherry Blossom Festival.

The 2013 Conyers Cherry Blossom Croquet Tournament is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday, March 16, at Oxford College.

More information is available by visiting www.heartlandwomansclub.info.

On Friday, March 22, two tournaments are scheduled. The first-ever Walk of Heroes Bowling Tournament will be at AMF Bowling Lanes in Conyers from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m., and the 2013 Conyers Kiwanis Club Cherry Blossom Golf Tournament will be at Cherokee Run Golf Course.

The Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival, which will be held at the Georgia International Horse Park Plaza, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 23 and 24.

A parking fee costs $5 per day or $8 to attend both days. There is no admission fee.

The festival will take place rain or shine, and pets are not allowed. Events include performances by Tampa Taiko, the Heritage High School Dance Team, and the Rockdale County High School Jazz Band and musical theater.

More information is available at www.conyerscherryblossomfest.com.