asville’s annual Rose Show — the grand old dame of this week’s festival activities — will observe a 100th anniversary this week.

The prestigious, nationally-known show was cancelled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is back for the centennial observance.

With a theme of “Where Roses Reign — 100th Rose Show & Festival,” it is hoped more roses will be entered in the show this year.

Gail Lane, Rose Show co-chairman, said most rose shows in the southeast United States have been cancelled because of COVID, possibly resulting in more entries here.

“We’re hoping to have more roses and exhibits,” Lane said, adding that she is not aware of any U.S. rose show as old as Thomasville’s.

She said local residents are always encouraged to exhibit roses. For new exhibitors, there are novice and junior gardner categories.

Roses to be exhibited should be taken to the Rose Show tent at Remington Avenue and South Broad Street between 7 and 10 a.m. Friday. Exhibitors should know the name of the rose they are entering.

Lane said roses to be exhibited should have stems as long as possible and placed in water in a bottle. If an exhibitor has a rose with no foliage, the bloom can be floated or placed in a frame.

The ribbon-cutting for the show is at 1 p.m. Friday. The show will continue until 5 p.m.

Saturday Rose Show hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There is no admission fee to the event.

Lane said the Thomasville Rose Show, show sponsor, is affiliated with with the American Rose Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to education about roses.

The American Rose Society will present a proclamation congratulating the city on the 100th Rose Show.