68th Annual Youth Day Celebration Returns Oct. 13

ROSWELL, GA — Roswell residents are invited to celebrate city's youngest inhabitants at the 68th Annual Frances McGahee Youth Day Celebration, which is set for Saturday, Oct. 13.

The Youth Day Parade will begin at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church on Mimosa Boulevard, and will proceed down Canton Street, and end in Roswell Area Park on Woodstock Road. This year’s theme is “Roswell Plays on the River.”

Immediately preceding the start of the parade at 9:45 a.m., the 22nd 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. To register, please visit roswellgov.com/Historic5k or contact Susan Silver at 770-817-6670.

After the parade, Smith Plantation will host Fall Farm Days on the grounds of the historic house museum 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 animal petting zoo, wagon rides, crafts, and farm chores. In addition, gold and gem panning is available for $5. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and other concessions will be available for purchase.

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.

For more information, call the Roswell Recreation, Parks, Historic & Cultural Affairs Department at 770-641-3705, or visit www.roswellgov.com/YouthDay.

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Images via city of Roswell