THOMASVILLE — Umbrellas and rain boots might be required attire Saturday, but the weather will not shut down weekend Thomasville Rose Show and Festival festivities.

“The show will go on rain or shine. We’ve got a full slate of events all weekend long,” said Sheryl Sealy, City of Thomasville executive director of marketing and customer service. “Come out and enjoy what the festival has to offer.”

The Saturday forecast is a 90% chance of rain.

Artisans are scheduled to display at the amphitheater. Sealy said a contingency plan for artisans will be available if rain is a factor.

“We’ve put a lot of time and effort into planning a good event for the community,” Sealy said.

The Civic Garden Show tent has been relocated to the intersection of Remington Avenue and Stevens Street.

The two flower show tents will be facing each other, Sealy said. 

The 100th annual Thomasville Rose Show will take place in a large tent at Remington and South Broad Street.

If Saturday weather is severe, the annual Thomasville Police Department Car & Truck Show will be cancelled with no makeup date. 

“If rain is light, the show will continue,” Maj. Shane Harris said.

As in 2020 for COVID-19-related reasons, the traditional Rose Festival parade will not take place on Friday this year. Instead, downtown Broad Street will feature a different kind of parade with many features designed by merchants and the city.

Twenty large historic photographs of past parades will be on display. A limited number of program booklets containing the past parade photos with their histories will be available downtown on a limited basis. The booklets are free, but the supply is limited.

“We’re very appreciative to the Thomasville History Center for their help,” Sealy said.

Downtown businesses are decorated for weekend events.

“What makes the Rose Festival special is it’s a community festival,” Sealy said. “It’s going to be a historic event for our community.”