On Friday, August 14, the Kaolin Festival Committee and Washington County Chamber of Commerce announced the cancellation of the 2020 Kaolin Festival.
“With a heavy heart, we must announce the cancellation of the 2020 Kaolin Festival,” reads a social media post to Facebook. “The safety of our community attendees and volunteers remain top priority and led us to make this decision.”
The Kaolin Festival, which is traditionally scheduled for the second weekend of October each year, previously announced alterations to the 2020 Festival season in July, due to concerns with the ongoing COIVD-19 situation.
On Monday, July 6, the Kaolin Festival Committee stated that the 2020 Kaolin Festival would only entail the annual Saturday morning parade and two concerts held on the nights of Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10.
Following discussion and the advisement of local health and safety officials for crowd limitations and restrictions stemming from the ongoing COVID-19 situation, the Kaolin Festival Committee opted for no food, art, or craft vendors, or children’s activity zone to be staged at the Sandersville Elementary School (SES), as in previous years.
It was after ensuing conversations with local officials in August that the Kaolin Festival Committee opted to cancel the 2020 Kaolin Festival.
“Thank you for your understanding and support,” stated the Kaolin Festival Committee Facebook post.
As previously reported by WACO 100, on Wednesday, June 24, the Miss Kaolin Beauty Pageant announced that the next Miss Kaolin Pageant would be postponed until 2021. The Pageant stated that all 2019 Queens will continue to hold their reign, including 2019 Miss Kaolin, Logan Wright. The Miss Kaolin Pageant stated intentions to highlight current and past queens during the Kaolin Festival season, and that more details would be made available at a late date.
The Kaolin Festival debuted the new brand for the Festival on July 6. It was made by the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute through the UGA Archway Partnership. Click HERE to view a newly released video by the Kaolin Festival Committee.
The Kaolin Festival Committee urged the public to still purchase the 2020 Kaolin Festival t-shirt, which was revealed by the Guild of Washington County and Washington County Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, August 12. The shirts may be purchased by clicking HERE
Proceeds from the Guild of Washington County’s 2020 Kaolin Festival t-shirts benefit women and children in Washington County. All 2020 shirts are short sleeved and cost $20. The first 200 individuals to purchase a shirt will receive a free Kaolin Festival themed mask.
A Quick Glimpse at the History of the Kaolin Festival
In the fall of 1956, Washington County staged the first Kaolin Festival. The first festival, chaired by Howard Sheppard, featured a golf tournament, kaolin mine or plant tours, a street dance, and a parade. The annual Kaolin Festival has grown over the years to become a staple to Washington County. Although the festival is held the 2nd weekend in October each year, it has grown to include a plethora of events, beginning as early as the first of September and continuing through October.