Where Roses Reign: 101st Rose Show and Festival gets underway

Published 3:56 pm Friday, April 22, 2022

THOMASVILLE — With the traditional fanfare accompanying its opening, the long tradition of the Thomasville Rose Show continued Friday afternoon. 

The 101st Rose Show and Festival got underway Friday, continuing more than a century of Thomasville’s signature event. 

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“What a glorious day we have here. We are just so blessed here in Thomasville,” said Mayor Jay Flowers. 

Flowers pointed out that the Thomasville Rose Show is the second oldest in the country. 

“We have traditions because traditions are important,” he said. “They help us remember the past. Because of our traditions, we are connected to our history. We also are connecting ourselves to our future. It is an important part of our community.” 

A March freeze affected many of the growers, Gail Lane Altman said. 

“But we have a beautiful show,” she added. 

Flowers also commended the many city staff members and volunteers who worked to get the city ready for the show. 

Flowers also read a proclamation honoring The Rose Queen, Miss Thomasville Caliyah Sinkfield, naming April 22 as Caliyah Sinkfield Rose Queen Day. 

Sinkfield is “sparkling with enthusiasm, poise, intelligence and personality,” Flowers said. 

Glenn Schulman of Pensacola, Florida, swept the show’s top awards, winning for Queen of Show, King of Show and Princess.