90th Texas Rose Festival kicks off today

Published 5:30 am Thursday, October 19, 2023

The Texas Rose Festival kicks off nine decades of celebrating Tyler’s rose history starting Thursday.

Held in October, the festival celebrates the area’s rose-growing heritage and the beauty of the rose, the symbol of Tyler.

This year’s festivities will run from Thursday through Sunday, including men’s and ladies’ luncheons, the coronation, the Queen’s Tea and the Rose Parade.

Liz Ballard, executive director of the Texas Rose Festival Association, said she is excited for this year’s events and is proud to see the festival celebrate its 90th year.

“I am very excited to kick off this year’s festivities,” she said. “It’s been a long year in planning and our team of volunteers is ready to put on another amazing event.”

Since the first event was held in 1933, the Texas Rose Festival has represented the spirit that brings Tyler together as a community.

“Celebrating nine decades is quite an accomplishment,” Ballard said. “I am so proud to see this tradition continue our mission of promoting Tyler, tourism and commerce, and celebrating the rose that made our event possible.”

Texas Rose Festival Queen Laura Elaine Bryan and Rose Festival Princess Conley Jeanette Patricia Cavender serve on this year’s court. The festival theme is “The Story of Film.”

Members of the queen’s court are presented in a theatric show that concludes with the symbolic crowning of the rose queen. Court members also are featured during the parade and the tea, during which community members are invited to meet the queen, princess and their court.

Rose Festival officials and community members will celebrate the 90th Texas Rose Festival ribbon cutting and morning prayer service at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Rose Garden Center, located at 420 Rose Park Drive in Tyler.

The ribbon cutting is free and open to the public.

The ladies’ and men’s luncheons will take place Friday at lunchtime.

The matinee showing of the coronation is at 2 p.m. at the UT Tyler Cowan Center. For the evening coronation at 7 p.m. Friday, Ballard said for those who haven’t gotten tickets, there is still some availability through the UT Tyler Cowan Center Box Office or by visiting the Tyler Rose Festival website.

Ballard encouraged people to come out for the parade and Queen’s Tea on Saturday.

“The parade begins at 9 a.m. traveling from Front Street and winding up into the Christus Rose Stadium. The parade will also be televised live by KETK 56,” she said. “The Queen’s Tea will follow in the Rose Garden from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.”

“It will be a magnificent setting to see all the court members and costumes up close,” Ballard said.

Ballard said the multi-day festival brings wonderful entertainment and there is something for everyone to enjoy.

“This event is only possible through hundreds of local community members and local businesses volunteering their time and services to pull off a spectacular event that draws thousands of people to Tyler for the three-day event,” she said. “It brings wonderful entertainment, artistry and fellowship and we are proudly able to show our hospitality to our visitors.”

“There is something for everyone to enjoy,” Ballard said.

A detailed schedule of events along with a map of the parade route, and more can also be found on the 90th annual Tyler Rose Festival brochure.

For more information, visit www.texasrosefestival.com.

THURSDAY

10 a.m. 90th Texas Rose Festival Ribbon Cutting and Morning Prayer Service, Rose Garden Center, 903-597-3130, Free admission, open to the public.

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Texas Rose Festival Rose Display, Rose Garden Center, Free admission.

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Palette of Roses Art Show & Sale, Art Show and sale of palette of roses art work done in different media, Rose Garden Center, Free admission, Paletteofrosesartleague.com

FRIDAY

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Texas Rose Festival Rose Display, Rose Garden Center, Free admission.

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Palette of Roses Art Show & Sale, Art Show and sale of palette of roses art work done in different media, Rose Garden Center, Free admission, Paletteofrosesartleague.com

11:15 a.m. Texas Rose Festival Men’s Luncheon with Kenneth A. Hersh, President and Chief Executive Officer of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, Location to be determined. Tickets required: $50 and up. Texasrosefestival.com

11:30 a.m. Texas Rose Festival Ladies’ Luncheon, Danielle D. Rollins, Author and Lifestyle Expert. The Crosswalk at Green Acres Baptist Church; Tickets required – $75 and up, Texasrosefestival.com 

2 p.m. Texas Rose Festival Matinee Coronation, R. Don Cowan Fine & Performing Arts Center, 903-566-7424, 3900 University Blvd. Tickets required – $15-$45, Texasrosefestival.com

7 p.m. Texas Rose Festival Evening Coronation, R. Don Cowan Fine & Performing Arts Center, 903-566-7424, 3900 University Blvd., Tickets required – $25-$85, Texasrosefestival.com 

SATURDAY

9 a.m. Texas Rose Festival Pre-Parade Activities, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium • 903-597-3130

9 a.m. Texas Rose Festival Parade, sponsored by KETK-TV – NBC, West from Glenwood Blvd. & Front St. • 903-597-3130 Parade Route: Free • East Side Reserved Stadium Seating Tickets: $10, Texasrosefestival.com

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Texas Rose Festival Rose Display, Rose Garden Center, Free admission.

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Palette of Roses Art Show & Sale, Art Show and sale of palette of roses art work done in different media, Rose Garden Center, Free admission, Paletteofrosesartleague.com

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rose Festival Arts & Crafts Fair, More than 75 vendors will provide handmade items such as creative art, jewelry, photography, mixed media, food, wood and more. Free admission (kids zone & concessions for a fee). Bergfeld Park, 1510 S College, 903.531.1214, www.TylerParksAndRec.com

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tyler’s Old Rose Open House at the historic Goodman-LeGrand House, Vintage Rose Festival Dress Display, October 8-29th, Tuesday-Saturday, 624 N Broadway Ave, 903.531.1286, www.GoodmanMuseum.com

1 to 3 p.m. Texas Rose Festival Queen’s Tea, Tyler Municipal Rose Garden • 903-597-3130 • Free admission, Texasrosefestival.com

SUNDAY

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Palette of Roses Art Show & Sale, Art Show and sale of palette of roses art work done in different media, Rose Garden Center, Free admission, Paletteofrosesartleague.com

Noon to 4 p.m., Texas Rose Festival Rose Display, Rose Garden Center, Free admission.