🌱 Picnic In The Park Event Today + Drink The Pink Winners Announced

Hi all. It's me, Rose Mendez, your host of the Macon Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in town. Including news about these three stories.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Warmer with some sun. High: 83 Low: 63.
• Sunday: Mostly cloudy, heavy t-storms. High: 77 Low: 48.

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Here are the top three stories in Macon today:

1. Macon-Bibb Parks and Recreation is bringing back the "Picnic in the Park" event today, Apr. 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be held at Macon's Carolyn Crayton Park with food trucks, live music, and family fun for all to enjoy throughout the day. The senior administrative assistant for Macon-Bibb Parks and Recreation, Kalyn Collins, said that the annual event is designed to bring the community together. (41 NBC News)
2. Macon resident Selma Oliver-Smith, 45, was convicted on Tuesday for illegally possessing a firearm as a felon after a two-day trial. The incident happened in August of 2021 when Oliver-Smith was accused of aggressively waving a firearm at shoppers at the Harrison Road Walmart. Deputies located Oliver-Smith in a nearby motel and found two firearms hidden in a toilet bowl tank, including one that looked familiar to the firearm in photos. His sentencing will take place on Jul. 11, and he faces a maximum 10-year prison sentence along with a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. (13WMAZ.com)
3. Winners were announced for Visit Macon's first-ever "Drink the Pink" contest which was a part of the Pink Provisions Trail during the 10-day International Cherry Blossom Festival. The event had a great first turn-out with more than 20 businesses entering over 40 pink-themed items. First-place winners this year included Parish on Cherry, Hello Boba Café, and Philosophie in separate categories, detailed at the link. (41 NBC News)

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Today and tomorrow in Macon:

Saturday, April 15

• Loomis Bros. Circus - Macon Coliseum (7:30 PM)

Sunday, April 16

• Ricky Ruckus Live - Parish On Cherry Street (12:00 PM)
• Ranger Meditation Program - Ocmulgee Mounds National Park (2:00 PM)
• The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical - Tattnall Square Center for the Arts (2:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Congratulations to student entrepreneur Mikayla Whitehead who took place in the Georgia FLEX Foundational Leadership and Entrepreneurship Experience competition earlier this week with her business, Brittinique – Be Unique. Mikayla did outstanding and finished second overall in the competition! (Bibb County School District via Facebook)
• Earlier this week Sonny Carter Elementary School held its leadership day where students highlighted their efforts to challenge the edge of the universe. As part of the Leader in Me initiative taking place, students also performed and had other showcases for the audience to enjoy. (Bibb County School District via Facebook)
• The Bibb County School District students, faculty, and staff participated in a first-ever painting contest this week. A special shout out to Westside High School student Durham Rufino who won the contest! (Macon+Bibb County via Facebook)

Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you soon for your next update.

— Rose Mendez

About me: Rose Mendez is a freelance writer. She is studying English Literature at Hunter College. She loves reading, walking around the city, and coffee!