Thomasville Insights

Season 5 Episode 16- Rose Festival 2026 Insider Guide

• City of Thomasville • Season 5 • Episode 16

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0:00 | 39:19

We walk through the full Thomasville Rose Show and Festival weekend with Brandy Avery, including the new additions that make this year stand out. We also share important city reminders for April and a quick Thomasville history note tied to the bicentennial.

• Rose Show and Festival dates, start times, and what to expect across both days 
• Orchids on Parade ribbon cutting and where to go 
• Friday highlights include the Rose Parade, and the sounds of Motown for the street dance.
• Parade theme tied to the bicentennial plus entry expectations and bands.
• Saturday plans including the police car and truck show around the courthouse 
• Civic Garden Club tent performances and downtown entertainment throughout the day 
• Artisan market application and selection process plus floral-focused vendors 
• Rose Fest Finale concert and the 200 synchronized drone show 
• Behind-the-scenes coordination across Team Thomasville departments 
• Thomasville History Center did-you-know on the 1861 railroad connection 
• Spring clean events for safe disposal of bulky items and hazardous materials 
• Natural gas leakage survey timeline and what crews will be doing

Please be sure to visit Thomasville.org for all the details and for the schedule of events 
Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on your favorite listening app so you don’t miss an episode 


SPEAKER_01

Welcome to Thomasville Insights with the City of Thomasville. On the podcast, we'll talk to experts on everything from Thomasville history and events to daily operations and city business, all while having some fun in the process.

SPEAKER_03

Welcome to Thomasville Insights with the city of Thomasville. I am Austin Reims, and I'm so glad you can join us. And I am here with my co-host, Ricky Zambrano. How are you doing, buddy?

SPEAKER_01

What's up, Austin? How are we doing? We're a little bit into that baseball season. So to carry on from that last episode, uh, you know, kind of like kind of like where I'm at. How do you like where you're at?

SPEAKER_03

Well, the Bravos are are doing all right. So uh, you know, we we still uh still need some pitching. But did you get that phone call? Uh I'm I'm waiting on that phone call to uh if they need a 48-year-old left-hander that throws 65 miles an hour.

SPEAKER_01

But uh those of you listening, for those of you listening for this first time in the previous episode, Austin believed he was on the verge of receiving a phone call and a call-up uh out of retirement just because he's lefty. Um and throws 72 miles an hour.

SPEAKER_03

And and the Braves don't have any pitching. So that that's uh um that's the loyalty of Braves fans.

SPEAKER_01

You see, I don't expect the Mets to call me up anytime soon. They can call me, but it better be for tickets behind home plate. That's about it.

SPEAKER_03

There you go. There you go. I you know, those uh I I hear they like uh, you know, they're so uh unpopular up there when they do a traffic stop, they give away Mets tickets. Is that what uh I've heard that?

SPEAKER_01

They give away Yankees tickets.

SPEAKER_03

Oh, okay.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, yeah. Nobody wants nobody wants those tickets.

SPEAKER_03

Now we've made all the Yankees fans on the podcast angry, but uh all two of them. That's right.

SPEAKER_01

Um but in all seriousness, other than baseball, Austin, uh what's your favorite part of the spring? Is it is it is it really the pollen that's the you know that that's the rumor.

SPEAKER_03

Well, uh, you know, we are in the marketing department, and you know, the the city uh I don't somebody in Thomasville had the idea of uh you know a long time ago to to market to to northerners that the pine scented air was healthy. And uh so that was kind of one of the things that brought northerners here, which I just think is a brilliant marketing plan. So we need to figure out what that is, but it's not the pollen. Um I I do enjoy the change of seasons. Uh I enjoy kind of uh when spring comes out and you kind of see the flowers come out.

SPEAKER_01

No, so hold on, hold on, hold on. Change of season, okay? Yeah. So it's supposed to go from like 40 degrees to like 60 degrees, right? Something like that, and stay around 60 for a while, 70, you know. So we go from like 40 for one day to like 90 the next day, and then we go back to 50 the next day. So that's your definition of changing the season, right? Changing the day is a little bit more like it.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, spring, uh normally, you know, March, April are very kind of volatile seasons for the weather, at least in South Georgia, it seems to me. So yes, it is not like a gradual change. Um, but uh I do uh especially here at the municipal auditorium, we have those kind of two trees that blossom out in front. Um, I don't know the names of those trees. Probably somebody smart like Brandy would would know. But uh uh we always have visitors come in to ask about them, and you know, um, so just kind of watching um the town bloom is kind of kind of pretty cool.

Rose Festival Dates And Overview

SPEAKER_01

I like that. It blooms just like the work schedule blooms in April, right? That's right. That's right. And that blooming work schedule in April, that busiest time of the year that we have. One of the busiest times of the year, because there's another one coming down the road as well. Uh what time of year is that, Austin?

SPEAKER_03

Well, you know, it's spring, it's uh rose festival season, and uh, you know, I I love that uh our whole community puts on our best. Um, you know, I've seen some people painting storefronts and you see public works painting streets and you see um all kinds of behind-the-scenes stuff that we do. And of course, we're gonna ask uh Brandy Avery about that coming up.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, and and in honor of the Rose Show and Festa, I'm wearing my pink pants right now, brighten up the day. And um, Chris White's favorite pants, by the way. Just throwing that out there. But yes, we do have Brandy Avery here. She's our community engagement manager. Uh welcome, Brandy.

SPEAKER_02

Thank you. Glad to be here.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, we're happy to have you here. Even though Austin mentioned before the show that uh he didn't want to do this episode, uh, I'm just kidding. Of course, this is Austin's favorite episode. So uh, because of all the work I and all and and this is completely serious, this is no slagging on him. He does a lot of work behind the scenes to kind of get a lot of video footage and all that stuff uh to to to help with the years to come and uh create a historical record of the show. But but this episode's about Brandy. So let's let's talk to Brandy a little bit about the Rose Show and Festival. Um so let's start with a simple question. Uh, what are dates and times for the Rose Show uh this year?

SPEAKER_02

So this year, Rose Show will fall on Friday, April 24th and Saturday, April 25th. On Friday, we kick off at 9 a.m. and last until about 10 30 p.m. And on Saturday we kick off at 10 a.m.

SPEAKER_03

Wow. Uh so Friday, 9 a.m. What what's what's Friday at 9 a.m.?

SPEAKER_02

Friday, 9 a.m. is the Orchids on Parade. Oh, that's right. That's ribbon cutting.

SPEAKER_03

I should know that, but you know, you haven't looked at your email yet, have you? Well, I mean, I'll get there. Open up the task list. I know that I'm I know that I'm really busy. This so yes.

SPEAKER_01

Um that's just on the calendars this has a big blog of busy.

SPEAKER_03

Yes, yeah. I mean, it all um it all uh goes kind of uh comes one big blob of of busyness. But uh yeah, the orchid show is is a neat one. Uh invite people to come out to that. Like speaking of smells, um, the building smells wonderful when they have those orchids coming in. So that that's really neat. For someone, Brandy, kind of moving on to different things, but somebody who's never attended a festival, how would you describe it?

SPEAKER_02

I would describe it as a family event where there's literally something for everyone. We have everything from flower shows, parade, live concerts, a car and truck show, there's children activities. So throughout the two-day festival, there's something for everyone in your family.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, and you really kind of y'all plan around that, right? I mean, the bands you choose.

SPEAKER_02

Absolutely.

SPEAKER_03

You know, uh between the the shopping and the cars, and you know, um, you guys put a lot of thought into that, don't you?

SPEAKER_01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

All right.

New Additions And Photo Ops

SPEAKER_01

And and and obviously, you know, we've got the enhancement now with the entertainment district. Um, you know. So so that that expands the the beverage selection that's available. And um leave it to Ricky to think about that. Yes, go ahead. Yes. I mean, you get thirsty walking around, right? So that that that's uh that's a plus for our merchants, obviously, with their with their sales. So uh it'll be interesting how this this first year with the entertainment district in place, um, how how you know how go for the merchants. So that'll that'll be that'll be fun to watch. Um so but but in in that on the same theme of the people that have never been here, that's always one of the funniest parts I find is like when you meet people that are here for the first time and uh where they're coming from. And sometimes it's right down the block. Just surprise. Sometimes it's it's not four hours away. Sometimes it's Grady County or or you know, Lowndes County, and they're just right around the corner and and have never been here. So um, so it's always a fun time of year to to meet some new people. Um so so let's let let's move on a little bit here. Does what will will we see some features? Um, what what are some features that guests look forward to uh in this in this year?

SPEAKER_02

Well, this year we're gonna have more photo op opportunities throughout downtown. We're planning to have the historic parade photo area in our new entryway to the Ritz Amphitheater. So that's at 233 West Jackson. And then this year, our Rosefest finale will feature a drone show. So I'll tell y'all more about that in a few minutes.

SPEAKER_01

And that's not Austin's drone. Yeah, that's not Austin's drone show.

SPEAKER_02

This is a that's right.

SPEAKER_01

I'm just gonna fly one drone in circles. Austin took a little offense to when he heard about the drone show. Not in he didn't get a chance to bid on the project. Yeah, that's right. Um he thought he could do a great job with his with his one drone. So I mean, I could like five of them around. You know, fly. Yeah, you scared me the other day, as a matter of fact. We won't talk about that, but you know, when you were droning the other morning.

SPEAKER_03

I was making sure you were getting to work on time.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, and and you recorded me probably getting it getting late, probably. So um awesome.

Friday Schedule Orchid Show To Street Dance

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, so um the event, as you said earlier, it kicks off Friday, April 24th. Um, let's kind of go to Friday. You you mentioned on Friday as well the Orchid Show, which is Friday, 9 a.m. Let's just talk about the day on Friday.

SPEAKER_02

So Friday, 9 a.m. is the Orchids on Parade ribbon cutting. We'll have the Rose Queen and local dignitaries there to cut the ribbon and officially open it up to the community. The Rose Show opens at 1 p.m. and it will be at the big top tent at the corner of Remington and Broad.

SPEAKER_03

Yep, close to subway. If if you, you know, like I can't think of streets. I have to think of buildings.

SPEAKER_02

Yes, right next to Subway. So in its usual spot, the big tent will be there. Um so that opens at 1 p.m. And then shortly after at 2 p.m. at the garden center, the standard flower show will open. So they'll have a ribbon cutting starting at 2 with Rose Queen and uh local dignitaries as well. And then our Rose Parade begins at 7 p.m. And immediately following the rose parade, we will have the street dance. This year's street dance band is the Ray Howard Band out of Atlanta. We're excited to have them. They'll be playing Motown hits.

SPEAKER_03

So they're like a bigger band, right?

SPEAKER_02

They are a 12-piece band.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

This is their first year? Yes.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, that'll be good. Uh and um, you know, I think you guys have found uh, as you said, a family event. Like you see, that's one fun thing about the street dance is like there's all young, old, and all in between out there dancing.

SPEAKER_01

So and Austin dancing with his camera.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, right in the middle. That's right. Uh uh, I may get a chance to this year. You know, normally I'm cleaning up after the Rhodes Parade. So, you know, just show you guys a couple of moves.

Parade Theme Entries And Grand Marshals

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, the Austin moves. The Austin moves. Um, so so let's keep on the theme a little bit of the parade. Uh what's the theme this year and and what what are we expecting entry-wise?

SPEAKER_02

Well, this year our theme is going to tie into Thomasville's bicentennial. So our theme is where roses reign, honoring our history and inspiring our future. So we're looking forward to seeing the creativity for all of our entries. And we're planning on around a hundred. A hundred entries for this. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, a hundred entries and a variety of walkers and floats. Floats, you know, bands. A whole whole sort of things. Yeah, and and speaking of bands, uh, how many how many bands uh might might be a part of the lineup this year?

SPEAKER_02

We usually have about five.

SPEAKER_01

That's always one of the funniest parts, right?

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, and uh, you know, shout out to those who um really do uh I don't want to leave anybody out, but there's a couple there's uh you know some organizations that that really put in some time to do a great job on their float. Uh I'm thinking about like Cleaver Brooks, maybe they always have something like that. They always do a great job. Um a lot of the dance companies do a great job. Uh and again, I don't want to put Brandy in this because she organizes this and she'll get in trouble if she forgets somebody. But uh Ricky, any other floats that you think is notable that stand out uh as creative uh year by year?

SPEAKER_01

Well, as a previous judge, it might be a conflict of interest to call out some. So but one you you did mention along the same lines and and and but one of those that that I've always found uh there's two that that two areas that are creative, you know, Stepping Stones has always uh done a great job with their creativity. And the school systems, the elementary schools, uh it's always it's always a let's see what they got up their sleeves this year. You know, both the city and the county schools uh do a great job with the younger with the younger kids and you know, kind of putting that creative mindset and and and and then if you look at any of those, I mean they've got kids on the floats with smiles and happy to be there and things of that nature. And how are you gonna look negatively upon one of those floats? I mean it's got kids smiling, I mean, you know, so they're they're having the time of their life. So that right away, uh it could be like an empty float, right? With nothing, no decorations, but got kids smiling. I mean, it's it's it's a positive sound.

SPEAKER_03

I'm I'm always amazed at the uh at the energy that the parade has. You know, you kind of um, you know, I've covered a lot of them, and and and you know, you come uh about three o'clock, four o'clock, people start setting chairs out, and like the energy level just keeps right raising up uh until the parade starts. It's always fun to see that.

SPEAKER_02

Like uh and I would say the parade is my favorite part of the festival. Okay. Just seeing the full community come together. Yeah, you see, that's a lot of people. Yeah, yeah, that's a lot of people.

SPEAKER_01

You know, like like the first time I was in the parade was way back, like I don't know, like 2016 or 20, like 2016, I think it was, something like that. Um I wrote on the Hans on Thomas County float, and um you never realize how many people it is until you're actually like, you're like, holy smokes. Yeah. I had my daughter with me, she's about six years old at the time, and she's just like her eyes are like, you know, wide open. And um, you know, for those that that are I've I've talked to my family about this, you know, we we grew up in bigger cities and live in bigger cities, and and you know, when I talk to them about this, I'm like, this is big. I'm like, this is don't think this is like, you know, a wagon to going down, you know, passing no stop lights, that type of deal. I'm like, this is there's a lot of people out there. And uh and it's pretty cool. It's pretty fun.

SPEAKER_03

Well, um, you know, we do have the downside to this year's parade. And I don't wanna, I don't wanna I'm I wanna, you know, kind of preference that. We just got talking about how good it is and how good it's gonna be and the history of it.

SPEAKER_01

Everything has their goods and bads, right?

SPEAKER_03

But like there's um, you know, uh, I don't I don't want to bring this interview down, but tell me who are the grand marshals and why.

SPEAKER_02

This year's grand marshals are Thomasville, Thomas County, man and woman of the year. So we'll have our very own Ricky Zembranos.

SPEAKER_01

Did you know that also? I don't think you meant.

SPEAKER_02

Okay, Jackie makes up Jackie makes up for the game.

SPEAKER_01

Thank you.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, so uh yeah, that's uh completely disappointing to learn about this. But um I feel like uh as the parade director, you need to make an exception and just just let Jackie do that.

SPEAKER_01

What do you uh what do you think about that? Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. We can't do that. I I bought pants for the for the parade. So uh I mean uh unless we're gonna plan that if she wants to reimburse me, then then we could roll with that. I mean, but I've started the process of the wardrobe attire, which is very stressful. Yeah, because Jackie showed me a picture of the the dress she's gonna wear, and I'm like, I'm like, dude, you're raising the bar.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Like I I wanted to go like in shorts and a t-shirt, like just kind of, you know.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

And she's got this, you know, and she showed me a picture of what her husband's got. I'm like, oh man, I'm like, I gotta raise the game.

SPEAKER_03

All right. Well, I mean, I guess they'll take anybody as grand marshals. It used to be an honor, but it it is for Jackie anyway. So congratulations, Jerry.

SPEAKER_01

Somebody's got somebody's gotta raise the bar, right? Yeah. Somebody's got lowered the bar.

SPEAKER_03

I know, I know. They'll take anybody.

Car And Truck Show Details

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, by the way, that uh full transparency, that question was in there so that Austin can throw some sticks at me. So yeah. Um and is the Thomasville Depu the police department hosting their their annual car and truck show this year?

SPEAKER_02

Yes. So that will be on Saturday, April 25th. They'll set up around the downtown courthouse like they usually do, and they'll line the streets with antique cars. Uh that event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. And uh they'll also have a concert this year. So Baby Gray will be performing on the courthouse alone.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, that's always a fun event too. Follow Baby Gray?

SPEAKER_03

I have I have no idea, but I'm sure they're great. Um, so I'm not as up on the music scene, but uh I've heard some good things.

SPEAKER_01

Get it added to your playlist.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, yeah, yeah, absolutely. Um, and uh always, you know, um that's uh that's one of those like I shouldn't struggle with envy, but man, you you go to that car show, you're like, golly, I I kind of want that car and I kind of want that car. So uh I don't want the bills at those. Yeah, I don't want the bills. Can you just give it to me? Um my kid has enough bills.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, for real.

SPEAKER_03

For real. But uh some beautiful cars. So I I love the beautiful old cars and designs and uh even even the colors, you know. I don't I don't, you know, I don't know why that nobody's allowed to have a, you know, my my car is gray. Every car is either gray or black or white these days. Like I love those old colors.

SPEAKER_01

And and the visuals, the visuals of of that show, I think is is is so cool. You know, the if you get a certain angle with the backdrop of downtown and the antique vehicles and you know, with with with with the bricks and and and the rest of downtown in the background. Uh I mean I I've I I've said this before. I mean, I I wish the the car and truck show went all throughout the bricks in on downtown because the visual of that is uh is beautiful. You know, I mean it just it it it's it's very Americana, right?

SPEAKER_03

You know these old guys talking about young kids running around, old, you know, people going in and out of stores, you know. I you know, uh there's some great uh dessert places right there in that section on both sides of the street. Um so buy you some, you know, buy you some uh some some desserts and uh tour all the beautiful cars there on the same.

SPEAKER_01

And you're and you're a lot closer to the establishments that help with the entertainment district as well. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But but uh so so before we get off that theme, what where exactly is their location?

SPEAKER_02

So it'll be around the courthouse. So they'll be on the North Broad Street side and then line the side roads too of the courthouse. So they're by First Baptist Church.

SPEAKER_01

Awesome.

SPEAKER_03

So those cars line line up, they go almost all the way down to the post office.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, and they get there early to get them a Prime Spark.

SPEAKER_01

I'm trying to remember how many entries they had last year. I thought it was in the 60s, I believe. Was that correct?

SPEAKER_02

Oh no, it was over a hundred last year. And this year, you know, it all depends on the weather. But the weather's gonna be great. Um, but yeah, we'd love to get 200 cars this year. Wow. Another plug for the bicentennial. Yeah, it's a great fundraiser for the police department.

SPEAKER_01

So if you're out there and you have an antique vehicle, let's get that number up to 200 in honor of the bicentennial. We can do it. We can do it.

SPEAKER_02

That's right.

SPEAKER_01

And there's all kinds of cars, too. I mean, you know. I mean, my car is could be considered an antique.

SPEAKER_03

I mean, it's it's an antique, that's for sure. It's missing enough parts. These are nice antiques though.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, that's right.

SPEAKER_03

That would be funny.

SPEAKER_01

Uh it'd be funny if you put your roll up and let's see what the police department says about my vehicle.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, they'd be like, you need to turn around, sir.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah.

Saturday Arts Market Music And Kids

SPEAKER_03

Um, let's let's move it on to Saturday. And uh, you know, again, um, well, we are on Saturday, I'm sorry, but um, there's more going on on Saturday. There's the car and truck show, as we aforementioned there. But uh, what else is going on?

SPEAKER_02

So Saturday morning at 10 a.m. will be the official opening of the Civic Garden Club tent. So uh they'll have the Rose City Symphonic Band there performing. Uh Thomas University Jazz Band's also gonna be performing throughout the day. So go in, their show is beautiful. Uh also uh right across the street will be the artisan market at the Ritz Amphitheater. So we expect 30 artisans to be there, along with food trucks and children's activities. And this year we're gonna have our local dance companies performing throughout the day. So there'll be entertainment going on as well.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah. So um now I heard that that the man of the year has to dance as well. Is that any truth to that rumor?

SPEAKER_01

That's the daughter of the man of the year. Thank thankfully.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, okay. All right.

SPEAKER_01

Well, I just I I think I think you know, you know, the the the the um the beauty of it is, you know, she's trying to get insider trading information, you know, and like ribbing me like like a month back or whatever. Like, you know what time we're dancing? I'm like, no, I have no idea. I'm like, it's confidential information that cannot be released to the public. That's right.

SPEAKER_03

One of the cool things about the artisan market is you guys are uh very selective um and just have a lot of neat stuff there. Um, tell me about kind of that process.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, so there is an application process, and we have several that apply, but we can only choose between 25 and 30 due to the space we have at the amphitheater. So we always try to focus on rose or floral inspired uh artisans. So it's everything from rose candles to flower jewelry, uh flower artwork.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, and and you're always kind of you've got some tell me about some of the floral stuff you've got. Um you're always kind of looking for somebody that does.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, so we do have uh vendors this year that where you can purchase flowers from them. So we'll have or you can make your own bouquet. We'll have central FFA selling some of the plants that they um that they grow.

SPEAKER_01

They grow. Yeah, that's a big deal right there. And we also have the city schools involved this year.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, so city schools, they're gonna be doing face painting for us this year.

SPEAKER_01

Oh cool. Yeah. So something for everybody. I think you should line up for the face painting, Austin.

SPEAKER_03

I know. You know, it's like, can you paint uh a picture of Ricky?

SPEAKER_01

I think no, I think a lion, I think you and a lion face would be pretty cool.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, I'm I'm scary enough as it is.

SPEAKER_01

Like a little like a little mufasa look to you. That's right. I think that would be good. Or maybe scar.

SPEAKER_03

And Lloyd has gonna say, uh as long as it's not scar. I'm I'm I'm probably more of a symbo kind of guy, but yeah, that's all right.

SPEAKER_01

Um but uh saying on the on the topic, because it is an interesting process, you know, that there's a time where you can apply, there's a deadline to apply, there's a lot of information, so it's not just you know, go and find them. There's an application process and then a selection process. There's a lot of work that's put into that um by the gals of marketing. Yes. Um the ladies of marketing, the ladies of marketing, um, to to put that lineup together. So uh there's a lot of work, there's some research that's done, I believe.

SPEAKER_03

And you wouldn't want dudes picking that out either. You wouldn't want the dudes of marketing department picking out, you know, have a little say-so.

SPEAKER_02

I I mean I would I wouldn't give us any say so.

SPEAKER_01

Right being nice over there. I mean, I'd be like, okay, who's got like what I want? That's right.

SPEAKER_03

That's right.

SPEAKER_01

Like, I don't I don't care what Austin wants. That's right. You know, do you got like New York style pizza? Do you like never mind buying some? I want I want to see food. So uh that would be a good idea.

SPEAKER_02

We try to do, you know, a big variety, so it's not all 25 jewelry vendors or yeah, yeah, there and there is, there always is.

SPEAKER_03

Like I'm always kind of um I I think you guys do a great job. I'm always kind of amazed, like, oh that's cool. I I like that, or this this kind of thing. So yeah, yeah. It's not, you know, it's not uh 25 versions of of soap, but I do need to buy Ricky some soap, probably.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, you know. I've got delicate skin, so I got to do it. Yeah, we need some rose soap. I break up.

SPEAKER_03

We need some rose soap for your big US Marshall.

Finale Concert And 200-Drone Show

SPEAKER_01

That's right. It's gotta be natural. Your skin. I'm sure it is natural. There's natural soaps. But but to wrap that, to put a uh a ribbon on that, um I I hear nothing but compliments every year about the market, and um it just continues to gain steam. And um, you know, so so kudos. Kudos to the work that gets done um to to put that together. But moving on with Saturday, um, you teased it a little bit earlier. Uh tell us a tell us about the Rosefest finale.

SPEAKER_02

So we're very excited about Rose Fest finale this year. We'll have Dana King and Gypsy Cotton performing from six to nine on the amphitheater stage.

SPEAKER_03

And they're a local band.

SPEAKER_02

They're a local band, yes. Uh they played at uh one of our first Fridays last year and had a huge crowd and a lot of great energy. So we're excited to have them. Um but at 8 45, as you're looking at the stage, you can look up into the sky, and we are going to light up the sky with 200 synchronized drones to create a 15-minute drone show. So we're pretty excited about this.

SPEAKER_01

I like it. Can can the drone show be finished with like Austin's like flying by at the end, like by itself?

SPEAKER_02

Like we were planning to have your face right now.

SPEAKER_03

The man of the year face is up there. I don't know.

SPEAKER_01

I don't I don't know if our if if Thomasville can handle the the amount of crowd that would be here next year expecting something similar. So it'd be like, yeah. I mean, we we we would we're not ready for all that. We need more hotels and all, I mean, it would be like a draw, like a serious draw. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_03

Absolutely. Um and uh that that's always just kind of uh again, um, I love how um on on all these events, um you know you guys do a great job to me of kind of matching uh the tone and the vibe of of Thomasville um to these events. You know, it's kind of like the Roadfest finale is is a great concert and the drone drone thing is gonna be great, but it's also it's a fun time for the community to get together too. You know, like you just kind of see a little bit, you'll see visitors doing their thing, but you'll see uh Thomas Villians of all stripes just having a good time. Which is really cool.

SPEAKER_02

That's what it's all about. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, that's and and and one more thing on Dana. I mean, it's a family affair. I mean, because she will be out there with her son, she'll be out there with a daughter. I mean, so that's that's pretty cool in itself, talking about a family event, right? When your band is has a family theme to it um as well. And the last time I saw them, the son of one of our own was on the keyboard. So I won't I won't mention uh who he is, uh, but he's over in the planning department. And and uh if you if you know who that is, um but yeah, Kenny's son, the last time I saw them was was was on the keyboard for them and did a great job. So I don't know if he'll be with them this time around, if he's you know, they sometimes change around a little bit. But but the last time I saw Dana, her son, her son was singing, um, and I've also seen her perform with her daughter. So I mean that'll be a talented family. Very talented, very talented.

SPEAKER_03

All right, so wrapping up here, um, let's just talk about uh Team Thomasville. There's a lot of um lot of uh coordination that you do that um you and Cassidy have to uh have a lot of departments and and all going in the same direction and um all that kind of stuff. Tell me about that.

SPEAKER_02

So to pull off a festival like this, it truly takes all of Team Thomasville. So we spend months uh meeting with each department and going through task lists, and I mean it takes everyone. Yeah, and we're blessed with the best team, and it shows when you come to the festival, you'll see.

SPEAKER_03

You'll see kind of a family, you know. You you've done it enough. Um and it's kind of so so many people who've been with the CD uh a while, everybody just kind of chips in and knows what to do a little bit.

SPEAKER_02

It's kind of and a lot of it is the same each year. So yeah, people know kind of what to do, and then we throw in a few new things and they adjust to it.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, but but just solving problems of getting the tent up. They, you know, like oh well, we gotta do this to make sure water gets over here.

SPEAKER_02

We gotta, you know, we have power over here.

SPEAKER_03

Make sure you have power over there, make sure the police are at in uh public works, have barricades up over here.

SPEAKER_02

So just cleaning up the town to make it shine. You know, the month of April, you'll see everything getting spruced up.

SPEAKER_01

So well, and and and to touch on that as well, it's you know, there's there's a Friday, and then that leads into Saturday. And when you show up on Saturday, it does not seem really like anything took place on Friday.

SPEAKER_04

Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Um, that's because our solid waste workers, our public works um staff, they they get after it once everybody goes home. You know, they're here for hours getting ready for for the next day. So um, and then on top of that, uh you got the safety aspect of it. It it takes a lot of work by the police department to to keep all of our visitors and attendees safe. And um they they they take that seriously, obviously, like like we expect them to. I mean, and they do a great job. And and um, and then you got fire rescue ready to respond, EMS ready to respond, and and all that stuff. So um, you know, hats off to to them and to so many other departments, CNS Next, and the list goes on and on. If we try and talk about a list, we're gonna leave somebody out. So um, but but again, you know, everything gets somewhere because of somebody. You know, the banners are hanging because the electric department hung them and and it just goes on and on. But to mention earlier, you mentioned uh the word cast, that's Cassidy Smith, um uh part of our team in the marketing department.

SPEAKER_03

Or the ladies of the marketing department.

SPEAKER_01

Or the ladies of the marketing department. So I know you don't like to use only first themes, so we wanted to throw in that last thing.

SPEAKER_02

She does, she keeps everything organized and us on track.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, just um, you know, wanted to thank you, Brandy, and and and we're thinking about Cassidy as well. Um, you guys are um I'm always kind of uh amazed at the uh uh grace under pressure that you guys show, especially on game day when it comes to Friday and Saturday. You guys have your smiles on, you have your best on.

SPEAKER_02

So you don't think we're too bossy? So we're talking about the same brandy.

unknown

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

I guess I've seen the difference. Yeah, about about 10 30, uh, when we're wrapping up the street dance, things get a little different. No, I'm just kidding. But um a lot of grace under fire that you guys show. Um, and um, you know, the fact that um everybody, uh, you know, Team Thomasville and really all the other volunteers who put in work for from you know, the Rose Show, Cip Garden Club Show, um, you know, Road City Run or whatever, um, all the volunteers that make it work. Um uh, but just wanted to salute you and thank you for all the job well done and all the hard work you put into it.

SPEAKER_02

Well, thank you.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah. All right, Ricky, your turn, baby.

SPEAKER_01

All right, well, so in honor of the Bicentennial 2026 podcast, we'll include a Thomasville History Did You Know section segment. Um, this information is provided to us by the Thomasville History Center. So we got Brandy here, uh, you know, ready to hear this out.

SPEAKER_03

This is the big one right here. Yeah, so here we go.

SPEAKER_01

Here we go. Did you know that in 1861, the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad is completed connecting Thomasville to Savannah. Also, in 1861, the Cotton Planters Bank of Georgia is incorporated in Thomasville.

SPEAKER_03

Big year. Yeah, so the railroad coming here, you know, uh allowed for the tourism part to come on. So, like we again, we would have been the far south as you could have gone because uh Florida had mosquitoes and malaria. So this was it. This was this was as south as you could go. So um, so that's a very big deal that that changed the the nature of this town. Um now I believe this would be another one I gotta check with Ephraim, but I believe uh one of these railroad bonds, uh it may have been this one.

SPEAKER_01

Is it the one that you worked on?

SPEAKER_03

Yes, yeah, man, that was hard work. But uh no, um one of these um uh was uh an early uh you know, the um the the black community was a part of this. Like there was kind of a collaboration um that uh that the black folk came on to help get this passed. Um I believe it may be this one, but I'll double check with our our esteemed historian uh Ephraim Roder, who's uh who is perfect in every way except for being a Mets fan.

SPEAKER_01

Um but um you're right, because I believe he's a Nets fan as well. So he is imperfect that he's a Nets and Mets and Nets.

SPEAKER_03

Yes, but um anyway, the I I believe that that's correct. But no matter the railroad coming here kind of change. It's funny how you know, 20 years after that, there's hotels and businesses everywhere. So um funny how little things are big things that reverberate today. Probably even influence the Rose show and festival today.

City Reminders Cleanups And Gas Survey

SPEAKER_01

And that's a good plug because Ephraim will be with us. Um Ephraim Rodder, the curator at the History Center, will be with us in in our next episode. So um, you know, keeping with the theme of history throughout the year, uh, we will man have the man himself. Um so you will get to ask him all of those questions. That's right. Uh that might be a two-hour episode. To display all of my he'll correct all my start asking questions and keep on going. Yeah. Uh I'm I'm gonna toss the script out for that one because Austin's just gonna go and ask the questions that he wants to. That's right. So so we do have some some some reminders, obviously, a lot of information about the Rose Show and Festival. Uh, please be sure to visit Thomasville.org for all the details and for the uh for the schedule of events. Um we also we've we've got a bit, like we said, we got a busy month. Um so so the Solid Waste Department will be will be hosting their annual spring clean event. Uh this this event uh allows uh city of Thomasville residents to safely dispose of items not suitable for the landfill. Uh items such as electronics, computers, batteries, mattresses, um, and and just in general, large items that you may not be able to put obviously in your residential can and need to dispose of. Um that this event will take place uh two different dates, Saturday, April 11th, 8 to 12, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. That will be at Balfour and Flipper Park. Um on Saturday, April 18th will be the second uh date. That is also from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and that will be at Cherokee Park. Um on that day, uh you can also dispose of automotive and uh automotive and paint products, which are very difficult to uh dispose of as well and should not go into your residential trash receptacles. Um in addition, on Saturday, April 18th, uh we will be handing out free cleaning supplies to those that that that come and um and visit with our solid waste department to dispose of some of their trash. Um that is a uh we'll have volunteers from Hands-on-Thomas County helping uh to hand out that supply. So it's a it's a another great community event that, as we talked about, helps to keep our our city looking beautiful. It it helps to beautify and minimizes uh things such as illegal dumping and provides an easy way to get rid of some of those um I've got some things in my garage that need to be disposed of.

SPEAKER_03

Some of those like uh batteries and stuff, like you don't want that to go in a garbage truck and explode or something. I mean, some of that stuff can be super dangerous.

SPEAKER_01

So yeah, I was there last year. We had we had a gentleman come, I I believe, if I'm not mistaken, uh about 20 uh computer screens that that you know they were not you know, they they didn't work anymore and they needed to be disposed of, but um just all sorts of things. You see refrigerators and and things of that nature, paint buckets, paint cans. Um so I think I got a gymnastics mattress at in the garage that needs to that needs to go. So um in addition, uh very important to note as well that beginning April 13th, the natural gas department will begin its annual leakage survey. Um so the leakage survey, the uh our crews will be checking for gas leaks. Uh so they'll be in and out of uh properties, uh checking gas meeting, uh checking gas meters, um, and then checking for leaks with uh detection detection equipment. So this process will take about eight weeks. So uh beginning approximately April 13, but it will last about eight weeks. So any of our crews, uh natural gas department crews that are around properties, uh, you'll know why. Obviously, they're they're checking properties that have natural gas service. Yeah, um, not a property like mine that does not have natural gas. So they know where they're going. Although my neighborhood is uh they're they're working on getting natural gas to my neighborhood. So we're excited about that.

SPEAKER_03

Well, uh, just want to thank everyone for being here. Thank everyone for listening. Um, and again, uh if you want to uh subscribe to the podcast uh on your favorite listening app and uh tell your friends, uh, and that way everyone can give us a hard time.

SPEAKER_00

You've been listening to Thomasville Insights with the City of Thomasville. The show is produced by the City of Thomasville Marketing Department. The show's music is by pond5.com. To learn more about the city of Thomasville, visit Thomasville.org or follow us on social media. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on your favorite listening app so you don't miss an episode. Thanks for listening.