Kaolin Festival

Known as the “Kaolin Capital of the World,” for more 60 years Washington County has celebrated its heritage with an annual Kaolin Festival as people from all parts of the world gather to enjoy arts, crafts, antiques, music, food and a parade.

The festival is each year on the second Saturday in October. 

Kicking off the festival will be the annual Kaolin Festival Parade. The parade starts at 9:30am and is fun for the whole family! If you are interested in having a float in the parade, pick up an application at the Chamber of Commerce.

The county had its first Kaolin Festival in the fall of 1956, a celebration that has endured. In that first festival, chaired by Howard Sheppard, numerous events were sponsored, including a golf tournament, fishing rodeo, banquet, kaolin plant tours, street dance and parade.

The announcement about the first festival read, “Because of the importance of the kaolin industry in Washington County and the part it has played in the economy and social development of the county, Sandersville city officials and Sandersville High School are planning a festival in honor of this industry. T.C. Carr, Mayor of Sandersville, has proclaimed the week of November 11-16, 1956, as Washington County Kaolin Festival Week.”