Roswell Prepares for 66th Annual Youth Day Celebration

From City of Roswell:

Come celebrate Roswell’s youngest residents at the 66th annual Frances McGahee Youth Day Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 8.

Youth Day festivities start at 10 a.m. with the annual parade, which will begin at First Baptist Church on Mimosa Boulevard and end in Roswell Area Park on Woodstock Road. This year’s theme is “Everybody Plays.”

Immediately preceding the start of the parade at 9:45 a.m., the 20th annual Historic Roswell 5K Road Race will begin. The race—which benefits the Friends of the Roswell Parks’ “Play It Forward Program”—starts at the Roswell United Methodist Church and ends at the Roswell Area Park football field. Registration is available online and through contacting Susan Silver at (770) 817-6670.

After the parade, come test your skills at the Fun Fitness Challenge in Roswell Area Park. All parade participants can take part in running through our large inflatable obstacle courses. Concessions will be available for purchase.

Also after the parade, Smith Plantation will be hosting Fall Farm Days, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This annual family event will feature artisan exhibits and demonstrations pertaining to life on a 19th-century farm, including living-history exhibits and activities such as period games, spinning, weaving and open-hearth cooking. Free children’s activities include period games, farm animals petting zoo, wagon rides, crafts and farm chores. In addition, gold and gem panning is available for $5.

Youth Day has been a long-standing tradition in Roswell that began in 1950, when a group of parents decided to sponsor a parade and a day of activities to honor the youth of the city. In 1951, Mayor Ford Rucker proclaimed the second Saturday in October as "Roswell Youth Day," and each year, the tradition grows stronger within the community.

If you or your group would like to participate, please download an application, or call the Roswell Recreation, Parks, Historic & Cultural Affairs Department at (770) 641-3705.

Photo courtesy of City of Roswell