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MISSOURI STATE SYMBOLS
STATE CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival in Marshfield |
In 2026, Gov. Mike Kehoe signed HB2576 and SB1544, doubly designating the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival in Marshfield as the official state cherry blossom festival.
The Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival began when Nicholas W. Inman returned from an internship in Washington, D.C. in 2003. He wanted to bring a piece of Washington, D.C. to Marshfield. The first official planting transpired in 2004 when Missouri First Lady Lori Houser Holden planted a cherry tree at the Webster County Museum. Soon after, residents and the local school board began buying and planting cherry trees around Marshfield. Every year, the Missouri First Lady is asked to return and plant a tree.
The Cherry Blossom Festival takes place annually in April, and the three-day event is meant to celebrate Missouri and the City of Marshfield. Each festival has different events and activities that are free to the public. Celebrities and presidential descendants are invited to speak. Numerous awards are presented to recipients of the Hubble Medal of Initiative, the Ella Dickey Literacy Award, the Homer Case Medal of Patriotism, plaques on the Missouri Walk of Fame, and more.
Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo)
§10.284. Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival in Marshfield, official state cherry blossom festival. – The Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival in the city of Marshfield is selected for and shall be known as the official state cherry blossom festival for the state of Missouri. (L. 2026 H.B. 2576 merged with S.B. 1544)
approved 13 July 2026
effective 28 August 2026
Photo Gallery:
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Additional Resources:
Official website of the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival
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