Delayed by 35 days, but it’s finally here – the 2024 Kaolin Festival and Parade!
Postponed following the longstanding effects of Hurricane Helene ravaging Washington County just weeks before its originally scheduled date on October 12, the Kaolin Festival is finally “full go” tomorrow on Saturday, November 16.
In a return to its original roots, the 2024 Festival will be held in November, as was the inaugural Kaolin-themed event in 1956.
During recent years, the festival theme has highlighted the memories of a past decade. Last year, local citizens celebrated the 1990’s.
The 2024 theme is “We Dig the 2000’s: Kaolin Proud.”
This year’s installment of the annual Washington County event will celebrate and thank local law enforcement and first responders, which is now especially appropriate following their extra work and dedication during the restoration efforts following the storm that delayed the festival.
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 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Downtown Sandersville on the Courthouse Square.
Activities available to hometown, returning, and visiting patrons include: the Annual Car Show, Church and Non-Profit Street of Dreams, Food and Craft Vendors, Shopping with Downtown Merchants, Viewing of Heavy Kaolin Mining Equipment, and the Kids Play Zone.
The Kids Zone will be filled with inflatables and games. Children can play as long as they’d like on as many actives as they can with the purchase of a $10 wristband. Kids 3 years old and younger are admitted for free.
Making its debut in 2024 and replacing the standard main stage entertainment on the Sandersville Square will be the Kaolin Festival Porch Fest.
Five musical acts will all perform from select porches of houses and businesses along the parade route.
Patrons may set up a chair or blanket on the lawn of the porch performance. They may bring a cooler, but no glass bottles are allowed.
A list of performers, addresses, and times are as followed:
Pete Love at 245 North Harris Street from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Gracie Brantley and Lauren Hall at Moye Insurance at 215 North Harris Street from 12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m.
Dalton Smith at 219 North Harris Street from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Marlee LeAnn ft. Ryan Brown at 217 North Harris Street from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
BMuzick Band at the Brown House at 268 North Harris Street from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Of course, the morning and festivities will begin with the annual beloved Kaolin Festival Parade.
It will start at 9:30 a.m. running down Highway 15 from the Washington County High School to the historic Sandersville School.
Over 90 entries are scheduled to participate in this year’s parade.
A People’s Choice Award will be given to the float that receives the most votes on Saturday. Individuals may vote from the conclusion of the parade until 2:00 p.m. via a link on the Kaolin Festival Facebook page.
WACO 100 will be broadcasting the event. The video stream will be available for live and on-demand viewing at waco100fm.com.
In preparation for tomorrow, the Sandersville Square is closed to traffic on Friday. Businesses will operate within normal hours, as parking is available in surrounding public lots.
The City of Sandersville reminds motorists of accessible parking on the day of the event. Kaolin Festival parking will be open on West Church Street, Brookins Street, McCarty Street (behind the Brown House), the City Hall parking lot, and other public lots.
‘Kaolin season’ runs yearlong in the ‘Kaolin Capitol of the World,’ but all are especially invited to take part in the extra-special festivities and fun of the annual Kaolin Festival and Parade tomorrow!
