March 1, 2011 -
PRLog -- “Queen Elizabeth” and “Mr. Lincoln” will have a tête-à-tête beneath the tent in Thomasville’
s brick-paved historic district when the 90th Annual Thomasville Rose Show and Festival gets underway April 21-24. A Southwest Georgia tradition since the 1920s, the free family-friendly Festival encompasses the Rose Show, which presents contemporary and heirloom roses against a backdrop budding with thousands of the blooms; the Rose Parade, known for its rose carpet and flowery floats; the Street Dance, which brings out boppers young and old; “Orchids on Parade”; Children’s Rose Bud Parade; plus live music, arts and crafts, car show, Southern-style festival foods, children’s fun and games and more. Visit http://www.ThomasvilleGA.com for event schedule and details.
Everything’s coming up roses
With roses blooming April through July, no wonder Thomasville is known as the “City of Roses.” There are 500-plus rose bushes in Thomasville’
s Rose Garden in Cherokee Lake Park alone and bouquets trim the Victorian cottages and storefronts of the downtown historic district. Taking center stage during the Festival on Friday are the competitively-
grown petals of the Rose Show. Past award-winning varietals include Hot Princess, Red Queen, Show Girl and Elizabeth Taylor. The Heirloom rose category honors the elders, showing varieties that have been in existence since 1867.
Rolling out the rose carpet
For the 63rd Annual Rose Parade, also on Friday, the city literally rolls out the rose carpet for floats studded with no less than two dozen live roses. The Parade’s recurring theme, "Everything’
s Coming up Roses!,” brings out the creativity in everyone. The owner of Gecko Gardens adorns a bobcat with roses and drives this daintily-decorated piece of construction equipment from one side of the street to the other, nodding to the children with the bobcat’s bucket. Following the parade, everyone takes to the streets for unabashed boogying during the Annual Street Dance featuring live music. Joining the parade and dance party are masses of orchids on display at the Genealogical Library: The Annual Orchids on Parade showcases the delicate perennials grown by the Thomasville Orchid Society. On Saturday, Art in the Park bursts to life with lots of arts and crafts and children’s activities – food, too. Great food will be dished up throughout the Festival, along with plenty of live music.
Other activities: The 33rd Annual Children’s Rose Bud Parade; Rose City Golf Classic; 70th Annual Civic Garden Club Flower Show; Bark in the Park; 34th Annual Rose City 10K Run and 32nd Annual 1 Mile Fun Run; and 9th Annual City of Roses Show-n-Shine Car & Truck Show.
The Thomasville Rose Show and Festival was voted a Top 20 Event in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society and is one of the American Bus Association’
s Top 100 Events in North America. See
http://www.ThomasvilleGA.com or call 1-866-577-3600 for complete event details.
MEDIA CONTACT: Megan Young
MeganY@Thomasville.org, 229-228-7977, 1-866-577-3600
City of Thomasville
http://www.ThomasvilleGA.com
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About Thomasville │ Located in Southwest Georgia, Thomasville, a.k.a. the “City of Roses,” has a crown jewel downtown historic district with a well-preserved Victorian character and brick-paved streets – and 75+ unique shops: antiques, apparel, books, galleries, garden, gifts, home décor, jewelry and more. Charming eateries include Market Diner at the Farmer’s Market (the second largest in the state) and the venerable Plaza Restaurant, plus bakeries, coffee and ice cream shops. Attractions include historic homes and grand cottages, plantations, museums, Thomasville’
s Rose Garden in Cherokee Lake Park and the new Gecko Gardens at the 1854 Wright House. Annual Events include Antiques Show, Camellia Show, Standard Flower Show, Rose Show & Festival, Plantation Wildlife Arts Festival and Victorian Christmas Festival. Lodging options include bed and breakfast inns and 10 brand name chain hotels. Visit http://www.ThomasvilleGA.com.
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