The Rose Show and Festival celebrates its 96th year April 27-29 in historic downtown Thomasville. A Southeastern tradition since the 1920s, the Rose Show and Festival celebrate Thomasville’s rich and rosy heritage with three days of parades, live music, arts and crafts, food, children’s activities and four different flower shows.

The Thomasville Police Department kicks off the event on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. with their department-wide inspection, held downtown. It is open to the public and showcases the discipline and top-notch quality of the local police department. A community meet-and-greet will follow the inspection.

The Children’s Rose Bud Parade follows at 7. Thomasville comes alive with decorative floats and smiling young faces as the children’s parade marches down Broad Street, with fun for the young and the young-at-heart.

Taking center stage during the festival on Friday are the competitively-grown petals of the Rose Show, housed under the big top in the heart of Downtown Thomasville. Past award-winning varietals include Hot Princess, Red Queen, Show Girl and Elizabeth Taylor. The Heirloom rose category honors the elders, showing varieties that have been in existence since 1867. The Thomasville High School Marching Band and Miss Georgia 2016 Patricia Ford cut the ribbon and officially open the Rose Show on Friday at 1 p.m.

In addition to the Rose Show, the festival will feature Orchids on Parade, the Thomasville Garden Club’s Standard Flower Show and the Civic Garden Club Flower Show. Orchids on Parade, housed in the Thomasville Municipal Auditorium building, features dozens of carefully grown orchids of many different breeds.

The Standard Flower Show’s 2017 theme is “Totally Groovy 70s” and will feature flower and horticulture entries of all types within the theme. This show is held at the Thomasville Garden Center. It opens on Friday at 2 p.m. and continues all day Saturday.

The Civic Garden Club’s theme will be “Looking Back While Moving Forward,” and will be held at Paradise Park on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Rose City Symphonic Band, directed and conducted by Lisa M. Foltz, will entertain at the Civic Garden Club show from 9:45-10:45 a.m. Featuring a variety of categories and a wide variety of flowers, all of these free of charge flower shows are not-to-be-missed.

The 69th Annual Rose Parade will be held Friday, April 28 at 7 p.m. Right before the parade, head to the stage at the intersection of Jefferson and Broad Streets the King’s Voices will perform a short concert featuring a specially arranged version of “Georgia on My Mind” and the National Anthem. This year’s parade theme, “Locally Grown Heroes,” will bring out the superhero in all. Don’t miss incredible floats, super special guests, marching bands and more. The Army Maneuver Center of Excellence Marching Band — a favorite from last year — will make its return to the parade this year as well. Everfan will be on site to outfit a lucky few with some super superhero capes. After the parade, boogie the night away at the annual Street Dance — a yearly party featuring the music of the Swingin’ Medallions.

The fun continues on Saturday, April 29 with a free concert in the brand new Thomasville amphitheater. Saturday in the amphitheater will feature a free concert from noon to 3 p.m. with the talented zydeco band Zydefunk. Known around the Southeast for their funky and fun sound, Zydefunk is not-to-be-missed.

On Saturday in Paradise Park, Art in the Park bursts to life with over 30 fine arts and crafts vendors including horticulture where native plants will be on sale, regional authors, in partnership with The Bookshelf and Independent Bookstore Day, woodworkers, glass blowers and more. You’ll also find vendors selling some of the finest handmade Georgia food products to take home with you, from Georgia Olive Farms olive oil to bags of stone ground grits.

An interactive story-time for children will be held on the main stage at 11 a.m., followed by a free concert featuring the soulful sounds of Bleu Burden from noon to 3 p.m. Children’s activities include face painting, temporary tattoos, outdoor games and hover archery. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and superhero stilt walkers will be on-site to entertain in the morning. You also won’t want to miss Bark in the Park — a pet costume contest hosted by the Thomasville-Thomas County Humane Society.

Saturday will be a busy day in downtown near the courthouse with the annual Car and Truck Show on North Broad Street, showcasing dozens of classic and vintage cars of all shapes and sizes. Downtown shops and restaurants will be open and ready to serve you. The city trolley will be running free of charge to transport guests throughout the festival events, including the downtown area, Paradise Park, amphitheater and flower shows.

The 96th Annual Rose Show and Festival is sponsored by CNS. Visit www.ThomasvilleGA.com or call the Visitors Center at (229) 228-7977 for full event schedules and details.