Since 1991, the Friends of the Texas Rose Festival has hosted the "Everything's Coming Up Roses!" luncheon to celebrate and promote enthusiasm for roses and the festival court. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Decked out in their most colorful florals, nearly 20 young ladies and their mothers gathered Wednesday alongside volunteers and supporters of the Friends of the Rose Festival at the Willow Brook Country Club for their annual “Everything’s Coming Up Roses!” luncheon.

The event marks the beginning of the celebrations leading up to the Texas Rose Festival held each October.

“It has always been just a fun time and a good opportunity for the girls to get together before everyone comes into town for the festival,” said Lori Brooks Carver, Duchess of the Rose Growers in 1991. “It’s … spending some quiet time getting to know some of the people they don’t know yet.”

Since 1991, the Friends of the Texas Rose Festival has hosted the luncheon to celebrate and promote enthusiasm for roses and the festival court. The organization boasts a diverse membership, encompassing former duchesses, rose growers, rose queens, their families, and individuals who cherish the beauty of roses.

“This is where we welcome all of our extended families and guests into Tyler to practice for the festivities that take place in October,” said Liz Ballard, executive director of the Texas Rose Festival Association and Tyler Rose Museum curator. “It’s all about meeting new people, welcoming people into our city and celebrating our hospitality.”

For the 91st Texas Rose Festival, Queen Frances Olivia Faulconer and her court will don elaborate costumes inspired by the theme “Fanfare of Festivals.” This theme will permeate every aspect of the October festival, from the grandeur of the Queen’s Coronation and Queen’s Tea to the elegance of the Rose Presentation and the spectacle of the Rose Parade.

Angie Brooks Bloecher delivered the opening remarks, welcoming the ladies to the luncheon, followed by a prayer from Karla Byrd. Piano music was provided by Karen Norman. Then 1983 Duchess of the Rose Growers Jennifer Moore Gaston served as the luncheon speaker.

After talking about the history of the rose festival, Gaston told the young court, “The best is yet to come. Believe me … it’s worth the wait. The friends you will make … and the confidence gained will be with you forever.”

She also offered valuable advice to the young ladies preparing for the festivities: be on time, stay hydrated, prioritize sleep whenever possible, let go of minor worries, and above all, practice kindness.

“Be especially kind to the volunteers and hosts,” Gaston said. “They love what they do, but a kind word from you is the best.”

Gaston, editor-in-chief at Tyler Today Magazine, was the Texas Rose Festival Executive Director from 1995 to 2007.

“Enjoy and embrace the opportunity afforded you to be a part of the Texas Rose Festival,” Gaston said. “It is an honor, a privilege, and a responsibility. Represent the best version of you, your family and the Texas Rose Festival.”

Carver introduced Miss Faulconer, daughter of Galen and Renee Faulconer, as the festival queen, and Miss Merritt Elizabeth Dial, daughter of David and Michelle Dial, as the festival princess. Alongside Queen Faulconer and Princess Dial is the Duchess of the Rose Growers, Alice Elizabeth Milton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Carver and Dr. and Mrs. Mark Milton.

She then also presented the Ladies-in-Waiting, which include: Miss Mary Helen Caton, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Glen Caton; Miss Harley Jayne Kay Cooper, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Henry Wayne Cooper; Miss Tate Elise Elfarr, daughter of Dr. & Mrs. William Alex Elfarr; Miss Frances Mygnone Foley, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Michael Foley; Miss Landry Kathryn Guy, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Robert Sidney Guy, Jr.; Miss Lily Isabelle Hammer, daughter of Mrs. Tiffany Daughtry Kidd & Mr. Scott David Hammer; Miss Caelyn Dru Kisamore, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Chad Douglas Kisamore; Miss Emma Joyce Lindsey, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Eugene Lindsey; Miss Claire Bergfeld Lofquist, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Barry Dean Lofquist; Miss Emma Lien-Nagle, daughter of Drs. Ellisiv Lien & Chad McNeil; Miss Eva Grace Meads, daughter of Dr. Shanna & Mr. Anthony Meads; Miss Annabelle Kelly Nowlin, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Jerry L. Nowlin, Jr.; Miss Martha Claire Patterson, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Richard Greg Patterson; Miss Riley Brooke Rayzor, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Julian Richard Rayzor; Miss Katherine Elizabeth Sharkey, daughter of Dr. & Mrs. Paul Cletus Sharkey; Miss Sarah Catherine Sims, daughter of Dr. & Mrs. John Bryan Sims; Miss Macy Caroline Smith, daughter of Dr. & Mrs. Kyle James Smith; Miss Caroline Slone Twaddell, daughter of Dr. & Mrs. Timothy Jon Twaddell; Miss Caroline Nicole Wells, daughter of Dr. & Mrs. Robert Brian Wells; and Miss Kasey Lynn Wright, daughter of Drs. Renee & Scott Wright.

“I thought it was such a great ceremony,” Faulconer said. “I love hearing about the rich history and being reminded of why the Rose Festival is so important to us. It’s going to be busy (preparing for festivities) but I’m really excited.”

Members of the Friends of the Rose include Elizabeth Ballard, Kay Bates, Angie Brooks Bloecher (formerly known as Duchess of the Rose Growers), Hope Bloecher, Kay Breedlove, Carolyn Brooks, Margaret Burkhart, Karen Burkhart, Addison Burton, Shannon Tate Burton (formerly Duchess of the Rose Growers), Karla Byrd, Kathy Byrd, Judy Carnes, Leanne Carnes, Holly Carroll, Taylor Carroll, Teresa Carroll, Lori Brooks Carver (formerly Duchess of the Rose Growers), Marie Cartwright, Jan Nix Cook, Mattie Frances Cox, Katheryn King Daly, Pamela Daniels, Leslie Breedlove Daly (formerly Duchess of the Rose Growers), Callie Worthen Fry (formerly Duchess of the Rose Growers), Lynda Evans, Cindy Gaddis, Jennifer Moore Gaston (formerly Duchess of the Rose Growers), Judy Geddie, Brenda Jones Gips (formerly Duchess of the Rose Growers), Carol Godwin, Jennifer Tate Guajardo (formerly Duchess of the Rose Growers), Allison Hand (formerly Duchess of the Rose Growers), Karen Hand, Linda Hendricks, Jill Brooks Howard (formerly Duchess of the Rose Growers), Vetta Lu Humphries, Modena Jernigan, Jennifer Johnson, Sylvia Moore Jones (formerly Duchess of the Rose Growers), Sharon Kennedy, Emily Milton Latham (formerly Duchess of the Rose Growers), Kimberly Martin, Alice Elizabeth Milton, Lynda Meadows, Charlotte Nelson, Elizabeth Smith Ortega (former Queen of the Texas Rose Festival), Gina Ramey, Suzie Rippy, Samm Singleton, Marie Smith, Alexis Renee Smith (formerly Duchess of the Rose Growers), Amy Dunwoody Solberg (formerly Duchess of the Rose Growers), Janie Stewart, Bobbie Tate, Becky Ullmen, Leah Walters Weike, Nan Williams, Carrie Wolf, and Rhonda Worthen.

“Friends of the Rose welcomes anyone,” Carver said. “If anyone would like to be a member and be a part of putting on this luncheon and just participating with the girls, we welcome you. It’s a really neat experience and if you love roses and if you love Tyler, we’re happy to have you.”

Contact Ballard at 903-597-3130 for more information.

The 91st Texas Rose Festival will be held on Oct. 17-20. For more information, visit texasrosefestival.org.

If You Go

WHAT: 91st Texas Rose Festival

WHEN: Oct. 17-20

WHERE: Tyler, various locations

COST: Some events are ticketed while others are free.

INFORMATION: texasrosefestival.org