THOMASVILLE, Ga. (WALB) - Downtown Thomasville was packed this weekend as thousands gathered to celebrate the city’s 200th birthday with music, food and activities that brought generations together.

The bicentennial celebration filled the downtown area with smiling faces as the City of Roses marked the major milestone, honoring its history while looking ahead to the future.

Mayor Scott Chastain said community support makes Thomasville unique.

“This community continues to show up to participate and make a great community,” Chastain said. “I think what makes Thomasville unique is people love to get together to support the community and each other, and we’re celebrating two hundred years of that.”

The celebration included food, games and live music. Tom Junker, who recently moved to Thomasville with his partner, said events like these drew them to the area.

“We just love that Thomasville has these kinds of events,” Junker said. “We’re actually new to the area, and this is one of the reasons that we bought up in Thomasville. We can walk right up to our home in downtown very quickly and just love it here.”

The bicentennial celebration offered something for everyone, allowing longtime residents to appreciate the history of the city.

“From a historical point, it’s just wonderful to know that two hundred years and we’re surviving,” said Perida Mitchell, who has lived in Thomasville most of her life. “And so it’s a beautiful time. Beautiful time of celebration.”

The event also appealed to younger residents. Ezra and Riley local children attending the celebration, said the event brought the community together.

“It’s really cool. And like, all of the buildings look really new and like. Yeah, it’s like coolish because, like, everybody’s here and everybody’s hearing music,” Ezra and Riley said. “It’s just good to be here.”

The celebration served as a way for the community to come together and celebrate both the city and each other.

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