VALDOSTA — The Valdosta-Lowndes County Azalea Festival returns Saturday and Sunday this weekend. Featuring local entertainment, vendors and numerous activities for participants of all ages, the Azalea Festival has become an expected March treat for the area for the past decade.
Hard to believe, but it’s true. This will be the 10th Annual Azalea Festival.
In 2000, organizers had an idea of celebrating the community through the blooms of our azaleas. Why not create a festival that celebrates Valdosta-Lowndes County’s community spirit while honoring the region’s abundance of azalea blooms each March? After all, the flower had earned Valdosta the nickname of the Azalea City many years earlier.
In March 2001, the first Azalea Festival was a one-day affair in Drexel Park. It has grown and adapted each year since.
Through the years, hundreds of people have made the Azalea Festival possible and shaped what it has become. The participation of thousands of area residents and visitors have made it an annual success.
The festival is named for the region’s azaleas, a plant that blooms for a brief and beautiful period around this time of year. With a cooler than normal winter, the blooms may not be as abundant this year, but the festival should still shine.
For more than the blooms, the Azalea Festival celebrates the people and things that make Valdosta-Lowndes County a beautiful place to live throughout the year.
What We Think
What we think: Growing & Blooming
- What We Think
-
-
Books: A part of summer adventures
Summer should be a time for swimming, playing, camping, trips, pursuing interests and fun for youngsters taking a break from the school year. It should be a time to recharge their batteries.
-
Memorial Day: A solemn occasion
Memorial Day has taken on many meanings through the years. The unofficial start of summer, a day off from work, a day to honor family and friends who have passed away.
-
Elections: Creating a two-party region?
Twenty years ago, most area elections were decided during the primaries. Then, almost every candidate qualified as a Democrat. While there may be plenty of challengers on the ballot, many seats were decided in July or a few weeks later during the primary run-off.
-
Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To South Georgians making fine impressions on television singing competitions. Phillip Phillips of Leesburg won “American Idol” this week. Meanwhile, Lowndes High School graduate Stacia Watkins participated in the new ABC show “Duets.” Well done!
-
Farewell to the vanishing ace
Donald S. “Bush” Bryan was not only a rare individual. He was part of a vanishing breed.
An Adel resident for the past 30 years, Bryan was a World War II flying ace. Not just an ace but a double ace. A pilot must down five enemy aircraft to become an ace; Bryan downed 13.3 enemy planes in Europe. The fractions represent planes downed with other pilots. -
A widespread mosquito alert
In announcing the discovery of a mosquito carrying the West Nile Virus strain, city and health officials did not include the specific location of the discovery.
-
Of Guantanamo Bay and a Founding Father
Some readers may wonder how a Valdosta High School graduate could bring himself as an attorney to represent a Guantanamo Bay prisoner charged in connection to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
-
Congratulations, VSU Softball!
This weekend, Valdosta State University Blazers Softball became the latest team to add to Valdosta’s TitleTown legacy.
-
School’s out so watch out!
Summer is a time of rest, vacations and trips. It is a time when school is out, when people take time off from work, when people may stay out a little later. It is a time of swimming, trying new things, and seeking adventure.
-
Qualifiers are next leaders
While the national media focuses attention on the presidential election, it should be remembered that we will also choose our local leaders this year.
- More What We Think Headlines
-
Books: A part of summer adventures
