Shillong: The much-awaited Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival is all set to begin on November 17 with an eclectic line up of musicians from around the world to perform, including Irish pop singer Ronan Keating and Ne-Yo.
The three-day festival, which will be held at RBDSA Sports Complex in Madan Kurkalang, Bhoirymbong, Ri-Bhoi district, is a celebration of culture, art, and music, an official said.
Madan Kurkalang is located along the National Highway 40, the route to ease traffic during Cherry Blossom Festival will be along the Guwahati Shillong Road, Mawiong-ISBT Bypass and Mawdiangdiang Bypass.
The streets and lanes of this picturesque hill station are draped in pink and white Cherry Blossom trees.
National and international tourists are setting their eyes yet again as Meghalaya celebrates nature and art together with the biggest names in the music and entertainment industry.
“There will be a footfall of 30,000 visitors per day which means that by the end of the event we would have one lakh visitors. 90 per cent of these visitors are expected to be tourists from outside, both domestic as well as international travellers,” Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh said.
The festival offers a diverse range of activities, from cosplay competitions and beauty pageants to choir contests, graffiti and art installations, karaoke contests, a Ferris wheel, and a thrilling zipline.
The headliner line-up for the festival includes internationally acclaimed musicians such as Ne-Yo, Ronan Keating, Sanam, Jonas Blue, SURL, Pink Panda, Kenny Musik.
While Keating is the former lead singer of Boyzone and has given timeless hits such as “when you say nothing at all” and others, Ne-Yo is a Grammy award winning Rhythm and Blues artist and is known for his chart-topping hits.
On the opening day of the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival, Sanam, Hybrid Theory, SURL, Kenny Musik, 4th Element, The Band Phantasm, DBRYN, Gwyneth, Dalariti, CYCO, Aminio, Dr Legend, Chevinia will be performing.
The artists set to thrill the crowd on the second day include American singer NE-YO, Meba Ofilia, Pink Panda, Snow White, Rahul Rajkhowa, Street Stories – Banjop, Empirical Tribe – Tenny, Zethan, Ricaa Stella, and Banker Kharkongor
The last day of the festival will witness the much-anticipated performance from former Boyzone vocalist Ronan Keating, Jonas Blue, Lou Majaw, Blue Temptation, Da Minot, Nokpante, Rhem, Favian, Wanjop Sohkhlet, Banrap, Youngg Nate, Meban, Lamphrang, Toshan.
