Ceremony kicks off Tyler’s annual Azalea & Spring Flower Trail

Published 5:00 pm Friday, March 22, 2024

On a mildly chilly and overcast Friday, homeowners and community members of Tyler’s Azalea District gathered at Pyron Gardens to kick off the Azalea & Spring Flower Trail that continues through April 8.

Friday’s ceremony was held in the backyard of Joan Pyron.

“She is always so gracious to open up God’s garden,” said Susan Travis, vice president of tourism and servicing at Visit Tyler. “She says every little bloom is like a love note from heaven. She loves her garden and… spends a lot of time and money and effort, so we appreciate it.”

Pyron Gardens, which is at 212 W. Dobbs St. in Tyler, is one of many homes welcoming visitors for the annual flower trail.

“We are so appreciative and grateful for all of the homeowners on the trail who make this event,” Travis said. “They are the ones who work so diligently to make sure that their yards and gardens are beautiful for all the visitors, and they’re always so welcoming, too. We couldn’t do this without them. This would truly be impossible if they did not do all the hard work.”

With more than 10 miles of residential gardens and historical homes covered with azaleas and tulips, wisteria, dogwood and more, the annual event draws thousands of visitors to Tyler each year.

At Friday’s ceremony, Shannon Dacus, board chair of Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, provided the opening remarks.

“We want to welcome those of you who are visiting our beautiful community,” she said. “We’re very excited to have you here.”

She introduced Mayor Don Warren, who flew in from Tennessee to make it to the ribbon cutting.

“This is Tyler, and this is my neighborhood, and I had not missed one of these openings in years, and I was not gonna miss this one today,” he said.

Warren and several other Tylerites visited Chattanooga, Tennessee, and talked about the “secret sauce” of the city.

“They got this beautiful river that goes through the city,” he said. “And I’m thinking, ‘What makes up our secret sauce?’ If you look around you, you’ll see it’s these beautiful azaleas.”

At present, the trail — often referred as a “photographer’s paradise” — attracts thousands of people and features more than 600 homes, according to Visit Tyler.

“People don’t care if it’s raining,” Warren said. “Put on a raincoat. Bring an umbrella, but come out and celebrate the beginning of the Azalea Trail. It doesn’t matter if it rains. Celebrate the new season, the blooming of the flowers and just enjoy life.”

The 2024 Texas Rose Festival queen, Frances “Franny” Olivia Faulconer, cut the ribbon to officially kick off the season.

The Tyler Legacy High School Good Vibrations group performed for attendees, and Hixon Frank, associate pastor at Green Acres Baptist Church, delivered the prayer.

Also on hand for the event were the 2024 Rose City Ambassadors — 15 students from Smith County-area schools who are serving as volunteers with Visit Tyler. Those are Elizabeth Brevard, Aidan Buckaloo, Izzabella Carretta, Katherine Cleofe, Mason Connell, Adriana Dominguez, Naomi Fenton, Daira Gauna, Christian Granberry, Gabriella Perdomo, Addison Petty, Jeremai Angeles, Chloe Schultz, Piper Wells and Luke Wilson.

For information or to see a full list of events happening in collaboration with the trail, visit www.tylerazaleatrail.com.