THOMASVILLE- Saturday morning of the 104th Annual Rose Festival began at the 83rd Civic Garden Club Flower Show, complete with a ribbon cutting ceremony and the announcement of the flower show’s winners.

It was a beautiful morning to celebrate all kinds of flowers in the Rose City and kick off the final day of one of Thomasville’s most loved traditions.

The Rose City Symphonic Band, led by Lisa Foltz, provided music to begin the ceremony, along with the National Anthem.

Civic Garden Club President Lessie Tillman welcomed attendees to the event and thanked club members for their hard work.

“This year has been extremely special,” she said. “There’s been more camaraderie between the Garden Club members, and once we go through the show, you’ll be able to see what we’ve done.”

Tillman reflected on how far the Civic Garden Club Show has come with the support of members, patrons, and the City of Thomasville.

“Maybe 25 years ago, we were at the Weston YMCA in a hot gymnasium,” she said. “But, look at us today and tell me that God can’t do it. With your support and prayers and supporting others, this is what we have today. And I say thank you”.

Mayor Todd Mobley spoke next to extend a special thanks to the Civic Garden Club.

“Thank you to Mrs. Tillman and the entire Civic Guard Club for all your hard work to make this incredible piece of the 104th Rose Show and Festival possible. It is truly impressive to see this show come together under the big top each year,” Mobley said. “ To all the members of the Civic Garden Club, congratulations on your 83rd annual Flower show.”

The winner of the 2025 Best Rose category was Steve Morrow with his wife Gwen Morrow. Morrow said the rose came from a plant of his mother’s that returns annually, and has for almost thirty years.

Batryse Rollins took home Best Breakfast Tray and Best Old Chair, while Christine Sneed won Best Horticulture.

Ruth Barnett was the Sweepstake winner, and Doris Baker won Best Showstopper.

The winner of Best Old Shoe was Carolyn Nixon.

A new category called Best Pathway Tract was introduced this year. It was won by a team of Barbara Clayton, Ernestine Rollins, Batryse Rollins, Carolyn Nixon, Sally Bevard, and Tammy Anderson.

The Best Entry from the Thomas and Grady County Training Center, who partnered with the Civic Garden Club this year, was Jamila Horne.

Finally, the Best Portable Garden was Bonnie Pace, and Rosebud Virgil took home Best Quilt.

Loretta Hatley mentioned the history of the Civic Garden club, describing a history of community involvement including community beautification, voter registration, and human rights activism.

Currently, the Civic Garden Club is involved with raising awareness for kidney disease, works with nursing homes, and gives scholarships to students at both Thomas County Central and Thomasville High School annually.

Before the ribbon cutting ceremony, Christine Sneed remarked about what the true meaning of a flower was.

“ Some say it’s a plant, but to a woman, it’s much more. When she sees a flower, she sees a reflection of herself, radiant beauty, grace that flows from the inside out,” said Sneed.

Finally, Miss Thomasville Macy Taylor and Miss Thomasville Teen Albree Norton and her court, Kinley Harrison and Savannah Harpe, performed a traditional ribbon cutting to begin the viewing of all of the entries into the flower show.

Tillman thanked all of the attendees for their support of the 83rd Civic Garden Club Show, and for their continued support of the club.