- Home
- Attractions & Tours
- Events
- Thomasville Rose Show and Festival
THOMASVILLE ROSE SHOW & FESTIVAL
THE 100TH ANNUAL THOMASVILLE ROSE SHOW & FESTIVAL
THEME: “WHERE ROSES REIGN...100 YEARS OF ROSES”
APRIL 22-24, 2021
Held in historic Downtown Thomasville, the Rose Show & Festival has been a Southwest Georgia tradition since the 1920s. Flower shows, entertainment, an artisan market, an antique car show, a police inspection, a historic parade experience, and much more provide fun for the whole family! We invite you to plan a visit to our beautiful city and enjoy our centennial celebration.
We’re excited to bring you a great event, with safety at the forefront of our plans. The City of Thomasville will be adhering to all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines as well as state guidelines to ensure the safety of all participants and visitors of the Thomasville Rose Show & Festival. While the majority of the event will be conducted outdoors, the City of Thomasville encourages proper social distancing, face coverings, and all other safety precautions. Handwashing and sanitation stations will also be installed throughout the event area.
Please refer to the information below for applications and helpful information:
The Thomasville Rose Show is hosted by the Thomasville Rose Society. There are 3 divisions for entries – Horticulture, Arrangements, and Photography. Click on the links below for entry information or email Gail Lane for additional information.
Our full schedule of activities can be found below:
Inspection of the Thomasville Police Department: 6:30 pm, Broad Street
The public is invited to an impressive review of the Thomasville Police Department. This event will include a community meet-and-greet with the officers once the inspection is completed. Free admission, open to the public.
Orchids on Parade
9am – 4pm, Inside the Municipal Building, 144 East Jackson Street
This show features orchids grown in a natural habitat by members of the Thomasville Orchid Society. Members will be on hand to answer questions. Free admission, donations appreciated, open to the public.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 9am with the Thomasville Rose Queen and Court and local dignitaries.
Thomasville Garden Club Luncheon & Fashion Show
12:30 pm, Courtyard by Marriott Thomasville Downtown, 207 South Dawson Street
Don’t miss this lovely opportunity to kick-off Rose Show & Festival weekend with a delicious lunch and divine fashion. Tickets are $20 per person and must be purchased in advance from a Garden Club member or at the Thomasville Visitors Center, 144 East Jackson Street. For more information, call 229-228-7977.
100th Annual Rose Show
1pm – 5pm, Remington Avenue at Broad Street, Under the Tent, Downtown Thomasville
The Rose Show is celebrating 100 years of roses! Hundreds of heirloom and hybrid rose varieties will be on exhibit from growers throughout the Southeast. Free admission, open to the public.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 1pm with the Thomasville Rose Queen and Court and local dignitaries.
Interested in entering a rose into the show? Entries should be brought to the back of the Rose Tent on Friday between 7:00am – 10:00am. Display items to showcase your entry will be provided. Simply cut your stem as long as possible and the rose specialists at the tent will assist you with the rest. For additional information, click on the links below:
Standard Flower Show
Theme: Celebrating 100 Years in Bloom
2:00 – 5pm, Thomasville Garden Center, 1102 South Broad Street
The Standard Flower Show, sponsored by the Thomasville Garden Club, will have a theme of Celebrating 100 Years in Bloom and will feature beautiful horticulture displays and floral designs. Donations appreciated, open to the public.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 2 pm with the Thomasville Rose Queen and Court and local dignitaries.
Sip & Shop with Live Music - New Event
5:00 – 9pm, Downtown Thomasville
Grab a beer or wine from a participating downtown merchant and stroll the bricks for an evening of sipping, shopping, and fun! Shops and restaurants will have extended hours, and musical acts will be set throughout the event area to entertain you while you enjoy the magic of downtown.
Historic Parade Experience - New Event
5:00 – 9pm, Broad Street, Downtown Thomasville
You’re invited to step back in time and discover 100 years of festivities, flowers, and fun at the historic parade experience! Interact with larger than life historic photo installations that represent traditions of past parades and rose shows. Meet our Rose Queen and Court as we pay tribute to all of our past Rose Queens. This is the perfect opportunity to see the event’s history in action. Free admission, open to the public.
Virtual Rose City 5K Run/Walk
8 – 11am, Drive-by pick-up at Scott Elementary School, 100 North Hansell Street
Sponsored by the Thomasville YMCA, participants can complete the run or walk virtually between April 3-24. Registration and more information can be found here.
Rose City Golf Classic
Country Oaks Golf Course, 6481 Georgia Highway 122 North
Two person team tournament sponsored by Country Oaks Golf Course. Regular play will be limited on both days. Download a registration form here. For more information, call 229-225-4333 or visit www.countryoaksgolfcourse.org
Orchids on Parade
9am – 4pm, Inside the Municipal Building, 144 East Jackson Street
Orchids on Parade continues. This show features orchids grown in a natural habitat by members of the Thomasville Orchid Society. Free admission, donations appreciated, open to the public.
Civic Garden Club Flower Show – New Location
10am – 5pm, Under the Big Top Tent at The Ritz Amphitheater, 131 Stevens Street
Sponsored by the Civic Garden Club, this year’s theme is The Garden Therapy. Enjoy beautiful roses, wild flowers, horticulture settings, potted plants, hanging baskets, table displays, and more! Free admission, donations appreciated, open to the public.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 10am with the Rose City Symphonic Band, Thomasville Rose Queen and Court and local dignitaries.
100th Annual Rose Show
10am – 4pm, Under the Big Top on Remington Avenue at Broad Street
The Rose Show continues with hundreds of heirloom and hybrid rose varieties on exhibit from growers throughout the Southeast. Free admission, open to the public.
Standard Flower Show
Theme: Celebrating 100 Years in Bloom
10am – 4pm, Thomasville Garden Center, 1102 South Broad Street
The Standard Flower Show continues. This year’s theme is Celebrating 100 Years in Bloom and will feature beautiful horticulture displays and floral designs. Saturday will also feature a children’s pollinator activity on the front lawn of the Garden Center from 10:00am–noon, ages 3-10. Donations appreciated, open to the public.
Rose Fest Market at the Ritz – New Event
11am – 5pm, The Ritz Amphitheater, 131 South Stevens Street
Join us for an outdoor artisan market celebrating all things ROSES! Handcrafted artisans and makers from across the Southeast will have their handmade goods for sale throughout the day. Food trucks will also be available, so be sure to come hungry!
“Show & Shine” Car & Truck Show
noon – 4pm, Registration Begins at 11am, Around the Courthouse on Broad Street
Sponsored by the Thomasville Police Department, come see unique and award-winning cars and trucks of all kinds! Registration begins at 11:00am, and winners will be announced by the end of the show. Free admission, open to the public.For more information, contact (229) 227-7075. Register here or the morning of the event.
Sip & Shop with Piped-in Music - New Event
5 – 9pm, Downtown Thomasville
Grab a beer or wine from a participating downtown merchant and stroll the bricks for an evening of sipping, shopping, and fun! Piped in music will be set throughout the event area to entertain you while you enjoy the magic of downtown.
Roses in Restaurants
Try Something New & Exciting
Participating downtown bars and restaurants have masterfully created unique dishes, drinks, or desserts featuring the flavor of roses. Roses in Restaurants is only held once a year during the Rose Show and Festival, so don’t miss out. This is your chance to savor something delicious and distinctive throughout all three days of our Festival! Participants include: The Sweet and Savory Sisters Restaurant; Liam’s Restaurant, Lounge & Cheese Shoppe; Farmer’s Daughter Vineyards Tasting Room; Chop House on the Bricks; Sweet Cacao Chocolates; Grassroots Coffee Co.; The Kickstand; Hubs and Hops; Sweet Grass Dairy; Empire Bagel.
Thomasville History Center
725 North Dawson Street
Visit the Thomasville History Center for a step back into time and learn about the rich history of Thomasville. The grounds will be open for tours during Rose Show. While you are there, stop by to view the Rose Show display in the front two rooms at the Center to see more historic information on the centennial celebration of the festival. Call 229-226-7664 for additional information.
Pebble Hill Plantation
1251 U.S. Highway 319 South
Don’t miss Pebble Hill while you’re in town! The plantation will be open for self-guided grounds tours and guided Main House tours on Friday and Saturday, with a 20% discount off admission. On Sunday, the Main House will be closed but will offer guided grounds tours. Reservations recommended for all tours. Call 229-226-2344 for additional information.
Taste of Thomasville Food Tour
You will truly get all the flavors of Thomasville while on this trip! The Food Tour will be doing their regular day tours on Friday and Saturday and After Hours evening tour on Saturday night. Call 229-227-7585 to book your tour.
Downtown Merchant Window Decorating Contest
Participating downtown merchants have gone all out this year to celebrate 100 years of roses - be sure to check out their decorated windows!
Larger Than Life Photo Opportunities
Rose themed photo ops will be spread throughout the event area. These are perfect for capturing memories!
Commemorative Hand Painted Circle Signs on Historic Light Poles
These specially commissioned art pieces can be found lining Broad Street. Created by artist Trish Land, these commemorative signs were made specifically for the 100th celebration and can be viewed throughout the month of April. One rose sign was specially selected as the back of this year’s festival tee shirt. Shirts can be purchased at the Thomasville Visitors Center, 144 East Jackson Street (while supplies last).
Plein Air Artists
During the weekend, look for plein air artists, affiliated with Pines & Palms, painting beautiful rose-inspired scenery in different areas of downtown.
Thomasville Center for the Arts Floral Themed Art Exhibit
217 West Jackson Street
Enjoy a floral themed exhibit in the Unvacant Lot on West Jackson Street. More details coming soon!