Adaptability, flexibility, and change are the “new normal” for events large and small nationwide. In a world that changed quickly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many plans for public gatherings were adjusted, transitioned, and reassessed in order to comply with Governor Brian Kemp’s Executive Orders as well as health and safety guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control. City of Thomasville officials said that while 2020 brought disruptions to many community special events, the lessons learned last year will allow many of Thomasville’s well-loved and treasured traditions to continue moving forward into 2021.
“If there was ever a year of learning and growing, 2020 was it,” said Madison Eaton, Special Events Coordinator. “COVID-19 gave us reinforced lessons on the art of adapting to a plan B- and sometimes plans C and D! - when our original plans were not an option for a world dealing with a global pandemic. What we have learned from our planning and from that of other community-based special events is that we can continue celebrating together in a manner that is still safe, but also fun and festive.”
April Norton, Director of Economic Development, said that community-based committees and appointed citizen boards have been vital voices in the decision making process for special events. “In addition to following CDC guidelines and the Governor’s Orders, we also worked with our community partners when making decisions about how to move forward safely,” she said. “Our committees and boards are a combination of business owners and local community members who understand that these events are traditions and very important to our city. We appreciate their efforts in moving forward with revised versions of our events.”
Safety for the community remains the City’s top priority. “The health and safety of our citizens is a focal point for us,” said Eaton. “We know that the public misses our normal event season, and as a staff, we miss it as well. While the pandemic continues, we are developing ways we can creatively and safely host community events throughout 2021, starting with Black History Month in February.”
Black History Month virtual celebrations began this week on the City of Thomasville’s Facebook page, with trivia questions and opportunities to win gift baskets each week. “This was a very popular feature of our previous celebrations,” said Eaton. “We’re excited to be able to educate and interact with the public while celebrating Thomasville’s rich African American history.” Visitors and locals alike will also notice a special Black History Month banner displayed prominently at Broad Street and Smith Avenue to mark the occasion. The completion of the West Jackson Streetscape also provides educational opportunities to enjoy a history walk, preserving the documented history of The Bottom and the business establishments that were monumental to the development of this downtown area. “Locals and visitors are encouraged to tour the 300 block of West Jackson Street and learn the history of the businesses through the newly completed sidewalk plaque installation,” said Eaton.
In addition, the City is also planning to partner with local community partners who host an annual Juneteenth Celebration. “Juneteenth is a holiday marking the emancipation of the final remaining slaves in the United States,” said Eaton. “Our Black History Month committee has decided that since we can’t fully execute the plans we had for our celebration in February, we will collaborate with the Juneteenth committee later this summer so that we can still celebrate with our local community. We are very excited to join the Juneteenth Celebration later this summer.”
Other City community events are also anticipated to return this year. “We are taking a thirty-day approach to evaluating how we will move forward with our event schedule for 2021,” said Eaton. “This will allow us to implement the appropriate event plan that will align with current CDC guidelines and our Governor’s Executive Orders.” She said that while social distancing and caution remains top of mind for mass gatherings, much thought and planning is being invested in finding ways to continue moving forward with community celebrations. “We have learned many lessons in 2020 regarding how to execute aspects of our events safely. We have been hard at work revising our work plans and feel like we have developed fun and safe options for our community events for 2021.”
City Manager Alan Carson agrees, adding that while many are eager to return to normal, it is important that safety guidelines remain at the forefront of all planning. “It is important that all of our community events follow the Governor’s Orders and that the City of Thomasville remains a good partner to our healthcare systems,” he said. “The Governor’s current orders do not allow for events as large and crowded as we may have done before the pandemic, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t finding innovative ways to connect and celebrate nonetheless. We are in this experience together and through some hard work and creative problem solving, we will see it through, safely.”
Black History Month virtual celebrations began this week and will continue throughout the month on the City of Thomasville’s Facebook page. For the most up to date information or to learn more about events in downtown Thomasville, visit downtownthomasville.com or call the Thomasville Visitors Center at 229-228-7977.