When you think Washington County, two topics come to mind – kaolin and football. Both will be celebrated this weekend during the 2023 installment of the Kaolin Festival!
The historic event, annually held on the second weekend of October, will take place as a one-day affair this year on Saturday, October 14.
Returning to Downtown Sandersville, all-day activities and excitement are set to unfold on the Courthouse Square during the Kaolin Festival.
As is customary, the day’s fun is set to begin with the annual Kaolin Festival Parade. Beginning at 9:30 a.m., the lineup will thrill roadside patrons as decorated floats, firetrucks, kaolin queens, bands, and more ride from the Washington County High School to the historic Sandersville School.
The occupied portion of Highway 15 will close to public traffic at 9:00 a.m. in preparation for the parade.
Leading off the Kaolin Festival Parade and serving as Grand Marshal will be members of the 1994 GHSA AA State Champion Washington County Golden Hawks Football Team, the first football state championship winning team from Washington County that kick-started a dynastic decade of dominance winning 3 of the next 4 state titles.
Recent Kaolin Festivals have been “traveling through the years” with different decades serving as yearly themes. In 2023, the 1990’s is serving as top topic.
During the ’90’s, the Golden Hawks won 5 Region Championships and 107 of their 129 games, including a 78-win, 7-loss stretch from 1992 to 1997.
Led by the winningest coach in school history, ‘Coach T’ Rick Tomberlin, the 1994 WACO football team set a GHSA all-classifications record for points scored in a single season with 630. The undefeated and unchallenged Hawks went 15-0 and won games by an average score of 42-6, pitching 5 shutouts and winning their closest game by 16 points in a State Tournament Quarterfinals Round match-up versus powerhouse and title favorite Mary Persons.
Playing in front of a packed crowd at the House of Pain each Friday night, the team planted 15 tombstones in the “graveyard” and is considered by most Georgia high school football historians and fans as one of the greatest and most dominant teams in state history.
Players and coaches of Washington County’s inaugural football state title team will also be recognized on the Community Stage in Downtown Sandersville following the parade.
The Courthouse Square will open to festival-goers at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday to offer a variety of enticing and exhilarating opportunities that include food and market vendors, a revamped Kid’s Fun Zone, the church and non-profit ‘Street of Dreams,’ a newly offered Class Reunion Row, the display of heavily used kaolin mining heavy equipment, and more.
Prior to the never-ceasing day’s delight, individuals are invited to a free Community Breakfast offered by the First Christian Church of Sandersville from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. in the Church Fellowship Hall at 166 East Church Street. Donations will support local charities.
Live music will be playing from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. courtesy of three talented teams of bands: Rebound performing from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Woodrock on stage from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and B Muzic entertaining from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The rejuvenated ‘Kids Zone on the Square’ is set to feature loads of fun from a variety of wide-ranging activities designed for children. To participate, wristbands must be purchased at $10 per child. Ages 3 years and under enter for free.
Kaolin Mine Tours are being provided by Thiele Kaolin Company at 1:00 p.m. Tour tickets are free, required to ride, and will be available at the Chamber of Commerce booth in Downtown Sandersville on a first come, first served basis.
The Annual Kaolin Festival Classic Car Show will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with beautiful vehicles on display. A $20 registration fee is the cost to participate. Judging is set to be held at 11:00 a.m. on cars modeled 1989 and older.
To prepare for the expansive amount of ongoing activities to follow on Saturday, the Sandersville Courthouse Square will close to parking for set-up and preparation on Friday, October 13. Downtown businesses will observe normal operating hours on Friday, as parking is available in additional public lots.
The City of Sandersville will also not offer Downtown Square parking on Saturday during the hours of the Kaolin Festival.
Today, Wednesday, October 11, is Community Kaolin Festival T-Shirt Day, encouraging community members to wear their 2023 “We Dig the ’90’s” themed Kaolin Festival t-shirt. Apparel may be purchased at the Washington County Chamber of Commerce.
On the night prior to the festival, the City of Sandersville Main Street is hosting a ‘Neon Run’ at the Depot Disc Golf Course at 814 Linton Road. Registration begins at 7:00 p.m. The race is set for 8:00 p.m. Individuals may sign-up for $20 at City Hall or online by clicking HERE.
For those unable to attend the Kaolin Festival Parade, WACO 100 is again offering the annual exclusive online video stream at waco100fm.com. The broadcast will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will also be available for on-demand viewing following the parade at 9:30 a.m.
Contact the Washington County Chamber of Commerce at 478-552-3288 for questions concerning the 2023 Kaolin Festival. Further information can be found on the Kaolin Festival Facebook page.
Below, please find the listing of supportive sponsors that make “Kaolin Season” possible.
