MOULTRIE, Ga. — Moultrie will celebrate its 33rd annual Community Day on Saturday. Among the festivities will be the release of 33 balloons in memory of the young man whose death prompted the annual celebration.

Sixteen-year-old Terry Jones was stabbed July 7, 1985, between Shaw Gym and the swimming pool on Seventh Street Northwest and died from his wounds.

In an effort to turn her tragedy into something better, Jones’ mother, Jacquelyn Pollard, organized the first Community Day the following summer.

Held at Shaw Gym, the W.F. Ryce Center and William Bryant Park — all within sight of where Jones was killed — the event has always sought to bring the residents of Northwest Moultrie together. This year’s theme fits right in: “Teaching Unity in the Community because We Are Better Together.”

Organization for the festival now falls on the Moultrie-Colquitt County Parks and Recreation Authority, but Pollard is expected to be recognized at Saturday’s event.

Carol Simpson, program director for the Recreation Authority, said Community Day will start at 9 a.m. with the annual Run Around the Park, followed by welcoming remarks from Moultrie Mayor Bill McIntosh, Colquitt County Sheriff Rod Howell and Moultrie Police Chief Sean Ladson.

The balloon release will follow at about 9:50 a.m.

Festivities begin after the balloon release.

New this year will be an adult kickball tournament at Drew Field. The annual youth basketball tournament will be held at Shaw Gym. Both start at 10 a.m. and continue until they finish.

Inside the Ryce Center, participants can play Spades and Bingo, or they can take part in a Sip and Paint activity by ExactlyU. All will go on throughout the day.

William Bryant Park will be the site for a water slide, an obstacle course, a football throw and soccer darts, all day long.

Free food will be available at the park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and food vendors will be available throughout the area all day long.

Simpson said there will be about 25 vendors, including food vendors as well as information booths. Many vendors will be giving away school supplies.

There will be swimming at the Northwest Pool from 1 to 5 p.m.

Dancers and musicians are scheduled to perform on the stage outside the Ryce Center from 10 a.m. through at least 1 p.m.

Prizes will be given away all day long, Simpson said. There are many donors and sponsors.

The event will conclude with a dance from 7 to 11 p.m. at Shaw Gym.