A beloved tradition in Valdosta since its initiation in 2000, the 2014 Azalea Festival kicked off Saturday in Drexel Park and continues from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.

The festival is always held in March to highlight the blooming azaleas.

The festival has grown into a regional attraction with attendees from all over the southeast making their way to Valdosta. Thousands of people partook in the festivities Saturday and thousands more are expected today.

More than 150 arts and crafts vendors lined the park, selling merchandise and showing their wares.

First-time attendee Ashlie Spikes sells her decorative monograms at her booth, Monograms by Ashlie. From Lakeland, Spikes runs her business mostly via Facebook and a booth at the Marketplace of Albany. However, she was excited to get to show off her merchandise at a festival.

“We really like it,” says Spikes. “We are right next to the cloggers, so we are happy.”

A unique spectacle at the Azalea Festival is the Tiger Stripes Exotic Animal Sanctuary booth, which features a live tiger display. This year’s tiger is named Hobbes and weighs in at about 625 pounds.

He is a 14-year-old rescued show animal. The sanctuary operates out of Quitman and sets up at the festival to raise awareness and take donations for its cause.

Five stages of entertainment boast acts that people of all ages can enjoy, including a Wild Adventures stage, a Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, and cloggers. The local band 41 South performed on Saturday and the band Daddy’s Money will perform today.

Also, the popular Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Show returned this year. Today will feature a classic car and bike show, with registration beginning at 10 a.m., judging at noon, and trophies presented at 2:30. Registration will be at the corner of Williams Street and Brookwood.

A KidZone area has a ton of activities for children to enjoy. Everything from pony rides to rock-wall climbing are made available.

However, one 12-year-old chooses to spend his time entertaining rather than playing. Cole Tucker is a ventriloquist who sings songs with a variety of different puppets. Cole and his parents travel and entertain all over. This is his second year at the Azalea Festival. Cole has an amazing talent that he taught himself and now spreads joy through his acts.