Spring was sizzling and summer was a scorcher, but fall will follow and soon be here – bringing with it cooler temperatures and the return of the annual Kaolin Festival and Parade, the second Saturday of October.
‘Kaolin season’ runs yearlong in the ‘Kaolin Capitol of the World,’ but a special showcase spotlights the white clay mineral in Washington County each fall.
With just over a month remaining before the annual event on Saturday, October 12, the deadline to submit an application to be a vendor during the Kaolin Festival or to be a participant in the Parade has arrived.
Wednesday, September 11 is the final day to complete registration.
Interested individuals, businesses, or organizations may apply online by completing a Parade, Vendor, or Class Reunion Row Google Doc at washingtoncountyga.com/festival-forms. Downloadable forms are also available on the web page. Physical forms may be filled out at the Washington County Chamber of Commerce at 603 South Harris Street in Sandersville from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Four months ago, the Kaolin Festival Committee released their 2024 theme – “We Dig the 2000’s: Kaolin Proud.”
In recent years, the festival theme has highlighted the memories of a past decade. Last year, local citizens celebrated the 1990’s.
The 2024 installment of the annual Washington County event will celebrate and thank local law enforcement and first responders.
Honored as Grand Marshals, leading off the morning’s parade, will be a deserving cast of local heroes – many of whom have dedicated lifetimes of service to our local communities. The lineup includes each Police Chief, Fire Chief, Emergency Agency Director, and Sheriff in Washington County.
Like last year, the 2024 Kaolin Festival will be a one-day event with excitement unfolding all day in Downtown Sandersville on the Courthouse Square.
The Kaolin Parade will again run up Highway 15 from the Washington County High School to the historic Sandersville School, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Kaolin Festival t-shirts are currently available for purchase at the Chamber of Commerce or online at theguildofwaco.com.
The always-popular piece of apparel – created and sold by the Guild of Washington County – has received rave reviews this year, as it spotlights the Kaolin industry and emergency response personal with a patriotic theme.
Short sleeve t-shirts are for purchase in toddler, youth, and adult sizes at $20. Long sleeve shirts are available in adult sizes for $25.
All proceeds from Kaolin Festival t-shirt sales benefit women and children in Washington County through the projects of the Guild.
In recent years, the organization has awarded college scholarships to local high school seniors; significantly supported the Washington County Youth Leadership Program; partnered with the Sunshine House during child abuse prevention month; provided school supplies to local teachers; contributed to First Love Kids, the Boys and Girls Club, the Christian Life Center, the Rape Crisis Center, Bread of Life, and ABC Women’s Clinic; provided Christmas gifts to children in Washington County’s foster care system; and purchase vital toiletries/over the counter medicines for underprivileged patients at the Children’s Healthcare of Washington County.
