Texas Rose Festival

The Texas Rose Festival, a four-day event held annually in Tyler, Texas, celebrates the role of the rose-growing industry in the local economy. The festivities, taking place during the third weekend of October^[1], draw thousands of tourists to the city each year.

[edit] History

The first Tyler Rose Festival was organized by Tyler Garden Club members, local rose growers and the Chamber of Commerce in October 1933 for the purpose of focusing attention on the importance of the rose industry to Tyler, and to showcase the towns elegance ^[2]; it was renamed the Texas Rose Festival during the Texas Centennial in 1936. Aside from the festival's suspension during World War II, it has been an annual event.

[edit] The Rose Queen and her court

Many of the festival's events center on the Rose Queen and her court, who wear lavish gowns and costumes that are often in keeping with the theme of the year's festival. These participants generally come from wealthy backgrounds and often have long family histories with the festival; many have played various roles in the events since childhood. The queen and her court are chosen by the President of the Texas Rose Festival Association who works in the organization for 4 years before taking on the role as President.

In addition to the Rose Queen, the court includes:

• The Duchess of the Rose Growers, a member of a rose-growing family selected by and representing the Texas Rose Growers Association.
• Out-of-town duchesses and escorts, sponsored by a family involved in the Rose Festival and invited because of relationships with Tyler residents.
• Train bearers, scepter bearers and attendants to the queen, usually elementary-school-aged children whose families are involved in the festival.

The Rose Queen in 2008, Sarah Elizabeth Clyde, presided over the 75th Texas Rose Festival. The 2008 Duchess of the Rose Growers was Elizabeth Katelyn Horton. ^[3]

Past Rose Queens include: 2007 Grace Hartley Ramey; 2006 Lauren Frances Jones; 2005 Katherine Claire Noel King; 2004 Lauren French Sanford; 2003 Elizabeth Arlene Lilly; 2002 Audrey Elizabeth Bell; 2001 Martha Claire Woldert; 2000 Caroline Malone Key; 1999 Joan Lindsay Burroughs (Woldert); 1998 Meridith Leigh Patterson (Hayes); 1997 Elizabeth Marsh Smith (Tapp); 1996 Anna Elizabeth Clyde (Malone); 1995 Martha Lindsey Wolfe; 1992 Kristi Leigh Hardin; 1990 Katherine Claire Duncan; 1989 Samantha Price Fischer (Skaran); 1988 Lora Beth Clyde (Arnold); 1987 Allyson Henry; 1981 Kay Elizabeth Fair; 1980 Alicia Staley Wynne (Gray); 1979 Claire Ramey (Turner); 1978 Ginger Fair (Gowin); 1977 Amy Jane Lawrence (Walton); 1976 Hollee Hedge (Clawater); 1975 Nanette Oge (Garrett); 1974 Eloise Clyde (Chandler); 1973 Amanda Warner (Jackson); 1972 Cynthia Stringer (Martin); 1971 Mary Martha Fair; 1970 Melinda Riter (Shoemake); 1969 Eugenia Key (Son); 1968 Louise Spence Griffeth; 1967 Katherine Clyde (Ramsey); 1966 Lynn Clawater (Staley); 1958 Patricia Lewis (Chambers); 1957 Kay Howard Garland; 1955 Mrs. R.Y. Brown, Jr.; 1951 Caroline King (Wylie); 1950 Jill King (Ramey); 1949 Rosemary Young (Reynolds); 1948 Mary Anne Nenney (McCain); 1947 Carolyne Riviere McArthur; 1941 Elizabeth Calhoun (Bobbitt); 1940 Mary John Grelling (Spence); 1939 Dorothy Bell; 1935 Margaret Hunt (Hill); 1933 Margaret Copland; Katherine McArthur; Dorothy Bell (Finn).^[4]

[edit] Rose Festival events

Rose Festival events open to the public generally include:

• A Vespers service, held at the home church of the reigning Rose Queen
• The Queen's Tea, in which the public is invited to mingle with the Rose Queen and her court at the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden
• A Men's Luncheon and a Ladies' Luncheon, featuring guest speakers
• Queen's Coronation ceremonies
• The Rose Festival Parade, featuring floats, bands and a number of community groups
• A Rose Show and gardening seminars
• The Rose Festival Arts and crafts Show at Tyler's Rose Garden.

There are also many other events such as an art show; a car show; doll, bear and toy shows; an arts and crafts fair; and symphony concerts in the park.^[5]

The Rose Parade is easily the biggest part of the Rose Festival. This parade takes place on the Saturday morning of the festival, and starts on Fifth St. and travels down Erwin to the Rose Stadium where it ends. It is free to watch the parade on the streets, but you must buy a ticket to be admitted into the shaded side of the stadium.^[6]

A number of private parties also coincide with the festival, including the Queen's Coronation Ball hosted by the Order of the Rose.

[edit] See also

• List of festivals in the United States

[edit] External links

• Official Texas Rose Festival site
• Stories on the 2005 festival, from the Tyler Morning Telegraph
• Brief article and bibliography, from the Handbook of Texas Online