Few small cities sparkle like Thomasville in the springtime. It is truly dazzling during the annual Rose Show and Festival, which kicks off for the 95th time today.

Blooms of many colors will be out in full force, as will thousands of spectators, during a family oriented event that is worthy of the national acclaim it receives. It is the time when Thomasville shines its brightest.

The Rose Festival literally features something for everyone. Children will enter the spotlight during today’s 7 p.m. Rosebud Parade through the heart of town. Lovers of art, music, food, history, cars and flowers of all kinds will also have plenty to suit their fancy throughout the weekend.

The festival is a tradition that is constantly invigorated, making it worth a look every year. The 2016 edition will feature a first — a Ferris wheel at Paradise Park from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. during Saturday’s Bark in the Park, a fun event featuring local people and their pets.

The entire city puts its best foot forward during the Rose Festival, including the Thomasville Police Department and Thomas County Sheriff’s Office. Their officers will don dress uniforms and have their cars shimmering for their annual inspections. The military-like procedure is interesting to watch.

We encourage regular newspaper readers and Rose Festival guests to pick up a copy of Wednesday’s Times-Enterprise because it includes a full schedule of events.

We also urge Rose Festival guests and local residents to use this occasion to boost Thomasville’s effort to win USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Award Contest. A victory would add considerably to the town’s list of honors, including designation as Georgia’s Official Rose City by the state legislature.

Visit http://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-historic-small-town/ to vote. A person can cast one ballot a day for the run of the contest, which ends Monday at 11:59 a.m. Winners will be announced on 10Best at noon on April 29.

Hopefully, it will be another opportunity for Thomasville to shine.