City of Thomasville announces Rose Parade theme to celebrate and honor city’s Bicentennial and 105th Rose Show
The City of Thomasville is currently accepting parade applications for this year’s Rose Show & Festival. South Georgia Ballet, shown above, was last year’s Queen Award Winner
THOMASVILLE, Ga. – Thomasville’s 105th Annual Rose Show & Festival, happening April 24–25, 2026, will feature stunning rose and flower shows, a lively parade, concerts, a car and truck show, artisan market, and more. This year’s celebration is especially meaningful as it coincides with the Bicentennial Celebration of Thomasville, marking 200 years of Thomasville and 105 years of The Rose Show.
In honor of this historic milestone, this year’s theme, “Where Roses Reign… Honoring Our History, Inspiring Our Future,” was thoughtfully selected to celebrate the community’s rich heritage while looking ahead to the next century of traditions. The theme ties together two remarkable anniversaries — two centuries of Thomasville’s history and more than a century of its beloved Rose Show.
One of the festival’s highlights, the Rose Parade, will march through Downtown Thomasville on Friday, April 24 at 7:00 PM, bringing vibrant floats, performances, and community fun to the streets. Awards will be presented for outstanding entries, including the Queen’s Award ($300) for best overall entry, the King’s Award ($200) for most creative use of this year’s theme, and the Rose Bud Award ($200) for the best children’s entry. Parade applications are due by April 3.
Community members of all ages are invited to participate in this year’s parade, including bands, floats, walking units, decorated vehicles, and performers.
“We chose this year’s theme to reflect the incredible milestone our community is celebrating — 200 years of Thomasville and 105 years of the Rose Show,” said Brandy Avery, City of Thomasville Community Engagement Manager. “We hope ‘Where Roses Reign… Honoring Our History, Inspiring Our Future’ encourages everyone to celebrate the Rose Festival traditions they love while creatively showcasing Thomasville’s past, present, and future. The Rose Parade is always a highlight of our festival, and we encourage organizations and individuals alike to get involved and have fun.”
Thomasville’s Rose Show & Festival kicks off at 9:00 AM on Friday, April 24, and concludes the evening of April 26. Parade applications are available online at Thomasville.org/rose. For additional information, contact the City of Thomasville Marketing Department at 229-227-4136.
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