When it comes to the top festivals to attend in America, the longer the festival has been on-going the more entertaining and interesting it is. The 82 years of on-going celebration at the Texas Rose Festival is no exception. The festival is held annually in Tyler, Texas. It’s a perfect location for the festival because Tyler is known as the “Rose Capital of America”. Rose bushes are everywhere in town adding depth to an already beautiful city. In addition Tyler is the home to the largest rose garden in America. The focus of the festival is to celebrate the local rose growers and the industry that they have created with their hard work. The schedule is filled with interesting speakers and events for visitors to participate in. The crowning of the Rose Queen is a big deal for the town and it’s a can't-miss event for all in attendance. There are entertaining attractions for all ages including parades, games, live music and much more. Find out why this festival has been one of the cornerstones of the Texas festival circuit for over eight decades! We interviewed Liz Ballard, the Executive Director and Curator of the Tyler Rose Museum and the Texas Rose Festival Association, about the festival, community, and fun activities.
RAL: Tell me about the Texas Rose Festival in general.
LB: We typically draw over 100,000 people to our festival, which is a multi-day event beginning with the Ribbon Cutting, and Rose Show at the Rose Garden Building, the Ladies' and Men's Luncheons with Distinguished Guest Speakers, the Coronation of the Queen during a matinee and evening performance, then follow up with the Parade and the Queen's Tea.
All the events are family friendly and are appealing to all age ranges. Generations of families have been enjoying this Tyler tradition dating back to 1933.
This event is maintained by the Texas Rose Festival Association and its mission is to promote the Rose Growers industry, promote tourism and commerce in Tyler and Smith County, as well as celebrate our volunteers and the community pride. The Texas Rose Festival is an all-volunteer based organization and it literally takes several hundred people to host such an event in the community.
RAL: Give me some specific information about the Tyler Rose Museum.
LB: The Rose Garden Center also houses the Tyler Rose Museum, which opened in 1992. It houses the Rose Grower’s history in Smith County along with the Queen's costumes, crowns and memorabilia of the Texas Rose Festival dating back to 1933. Admission to the museum is $3.50 for adults, and $2.00 for children under 11. Out the back side of the Rose Garden building, is the site of the largest municipal rose garden in the country. We have 14 acres of beauty to view with thousands of roses. The garden is free and open to the public.
RAL: Take me through the entire run of the Texas Rose Festival.
LB: The events of the Texas Rose Festival begin with kick off Concert in the Park on Saturday, October 10th at 7:00 pm in Bergfeld Park, sponsored by Suddenlink. This event helps to get the enthusiasm of the community rolling about the week of events ahead. The entertainment will feature the AJ Ghent Band from Atlanta, GA. With soulful blues and perfection on the steel guitar, AJ Ghent is sure to impress the audience. This concert will be in the open outdoor amphitheater and is free to the public and a family friendly event.
Beginning on Thursday, October 15th, we have the ribbon cutting at 10:00 in the morning in the Rose Garden Center with the display of the Rose Show, which will feature an artistic display of over 10,000 individual roses arranged to the theme of this year’s Festival, Royalty of the Under Water Realm. This event is open to the public and free to all who attend.
On Friday, October 16th, there are two luncheons available to attend. The Ladies' Luncheon distinguished guest speaker is the Right Honorable Countess of Carnarvon. She has written several books and lives in Highclere Castle, the real Downton Abbey. Tickets are available beginning at $50.00 for men and women who would like to attend. It's definitely going to be a delight to listen to Lady Carnarvon. Tickets are available through the UT Tyler Cowan Center Box Office. The event begins at 11:30 am at the CrossWalk at Green Acres Baptist Church.
At 2:00pm and 7:00pm are the Coronations. Queen Madeline Shirley Wynne will be crowned the Queen of the 82nd Texas Rose Festival and will be surrounded by her court in amazing costumes. The theme of the Coronation is the Royalty of the Under Water Realm and will showcase all elements of the sea including sea life, ports of call, famous people of the sea, and treasures. Winn Morton, the costumer and designer for the 29th year, has developed stunning elements that are breathtaking and a joy for people of all ages to view.
Saturday, October 17th, kicks off with the Parade beginning at 9:00am until 11:00am that hosts over 120 entrants and is filled with the Court in their costumes, bands, dance teams, car clubs, military groups, Shriners, and local dignitaries. Every one loves a parade! Reserved seating is available in the Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium with tickets starting at $7. Street side viewing is free to all.
Following the Parade is the Queen's Tea at 1:00-3:00pm at the Queen's Courtyard in the Rose Garden. This is an opportunity to get up close to all the girls in their costumes and a wonderful picture opportunity with the Queen. The Queen's Tea is free to the public and all ages are welcome to attend.
RAL: What can our readers expect for local lodging?
LB: Tyler offers Bed and Breakfast opportunities as well as several brand new facilities. Area lodging and RV parks can be accessed by contacting the Tyler Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.visittyler.com, or by calling 1-800-235-5712 ext. 224.
RAL: What does the festival mean to the community?
LB: This event is so important to our local community. We are very proud to promote Tyler and Smith County with our offerings of events and beauty of the largest municipal rose garden in the Country. The Texas Rose Festival is an all-volunteer organization and has taken pride to promote our town and hospitality for 82 years now.
Our cause gives locals and tourists the opportunity to experience a wide variety of family friendly events at little or no cost. Memories will be made and the vision of beauty that our roses offer is amazing.
We are hopeful all will take the time for this Texas legacy, the 82nd Texas Rose Festival October 15- October 18.
For more information please visit the festival website.