When the people of Thomasville say that our city has something to offer to everyone, we really mean it. And few celebrations showcase this more perfectly than the annual Plantation Wildlife Arts Festival.
Every fall brings the excitement that comes with the beginning of hunting season in Georgia. And in Thomasville, November means that it’s time for the Wildlife Arts Festival. Thomasville, along with the rest of the Red Hills Region, is known for the sporting and hunting traditions of its plantations. In addition, Thomasville is a city that values the arts. When the Thomasville Center for the Arts created a way to marry these two passions over 20 years ago, the Plantation Wildlife Arts Festival was born.
What can you expect to see and experience at the festival? Whether you’re happier in black-tie formal wear or brush pants, there’s something for you. And though the lineup of events and the selection of featured guest artists changes from year to year, the variety of fun activities that the festival brings to Thomasville is sure to excite attendees of all ages.
One of the annual highlights of the festival is the Fine Art Show & Sale, which features dozens of works by outstanding sporting and wildlife artists. See the show, admire the artwork, and get a chance to interact with the artists themselves—talented painters, photographers, sculptors, carvers, jewelers, and other craftspeople. If your tastes run more to the musical side of things, then you can enjoy the Afternoon in the Field concert on the grounds of the historic Pebble Hill Plantation—bring a picnic basket or take advantage of the food trucks on site. The Red Hills Rover Rally gives off-roading enthusiasts a chance to see some of the hidden gems off the beaten path on some of Thomasville’s private plantations. This guided tour is the perfect outing for owners and lovers of vintage Land Rovers and hunt buggies. And no Plantation Wildlife Arts Festival would be complete without the final evening’s event, the Bird Dog Bash. What better way to cap off the excitement of the festival than with live music, great food, drinks, and an auction?
The fall is also the season for learning here in Thomasville, and the Plantation Wildlife Arts Festival is all in on education. Past features have included Wildlife Encounters, an educational show for kids (and parents!) featuring reptiles and birds of prey; talks for adults about conservation; and art classes focusing on multiple mediums, from wildlife painting to floral arrangements.
If this sounds like a lot of fun, it is! But don’t take our word for it—come to Thomasville in November and see for yourself!
