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This fall, thousands will make their way to Tyler to enjoy the long-standing tradition of the Texas Rose Festival. In the meantime, the reigning queen and her court will get started early, representing the Rose City with pride alongside a host of volunteers who will work for months to bring the festival to life.

The Winter Gala and Tyler Rose Museum Benefit was held Friday night at Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler as a kickoff to the 92nd festival, which will be held Oct. 16-19. At the gala, the festival’s highly-anticipated theme and members of the court were revealed.

Miss Avery Craft Armstrong, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Blake Edward Armstrong, will serve as the 92nd Texas Rose Festival Queen, alongside Princess Mary-Michael Dial, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David S. Dial.

Queen Avery is “truly honored” to have the opportunity to serve in this esteemed role but said the position is not about her.

“As queen, I am simply a representative of our great city and the rich tradition of the rose industry and what it has meant to Tyler,” Queen Avery said. “The first recorded bushel of roses sold in Tyler dates back to 1879. I am sure that the buyer and seller of those roses would be amazed that roughly 150 years later we are recognizing that transaction and celebrating the industry that has put Tyler on the map and made our city recognizable around the world.”

Queen Avery said a rose is many things – a symbol of celebration, comfort during loss, a source of a beautiful aroma.

“Most importantly, a rose handed from one person to another is a personal moment that is meaningful,” she said. “Because of this, our gathering together tonight to celebrate the rose and its wonderful impact on our region, city and the men and women that have contributed to the rose industry is meaningful, too.”

Queen Avery was sure to express her thanks to her parents, along with her grandparents Carol Armstrong and Marta and Steve Fitzpatrick for their support. She also thanked volunteers and community members who make the event a success each year. Queen Avery couldn’t leave out Texas Rose Festival President Michael C. Young and others who selected her to serve as this year’s queen.

“Like a rose itself, it is meaningful to me, and I am truly honored,” Queen Avery said.

The theme of this year’s festival is “A Tapestry of Tales.” The logo, which was unveiled Friday night by Coronation Co-Chairs Blake Tucker and Blythe McCain, features a book, crown, roses and leaves. The reveal drew applause from the audience who sat in anticipation to learn more about the 2025 theme.

“Stories not only reflect who we are as individuals and communities, they shape us as well,” said Tucker. “They help us understand ourselves and cultivate meaning in our lives. Many books bind us together by promoting a greater understanding and revealing all the similarities we share.”

“Books have a way to record knowledge, tell stories and share information,” added McCain. “Some of the books you may see on stage this year include The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Giving Tree, Charlotte’s Web, The Secret Garden, Hamlet, Wolf Hall, To Kill a Mockingbird, Fahrenheit 451 Rebecca and Girl with a Dragon Tattoo.”

Elaborate costumes for the court, including the queen, princess, ladies-in-waiting and duchesses, will be inspired by the theme. Other elements of the October festival, including ceremonial events such as the Queen’s Coronation, Queen’s Tea, Rose Presentation and Rose Parade, will also be centered around the theme.

Young said Friday’s event was a chance to reflect on what the longtime tradition means for the Tyler community. The gala also serves as a special occasion for the community to support the Tyler Rose Museum, which preserves the history of Tyler and Smith County’s involvement in the rose industry. Evans and other Texas Rose Festival officials encouraged the community to visit and support the museum, which currently has costumes on display from the 2024 festival “Fanfare of Festivals.”

Additionally, the event was a time to celebrate the court and all those who put in work to make the festival happen each year.

This year’s gala honored PATH (People Attempting to Help) and the East Texas Crisis Center. Each nonprofit was presented with $10,000 from the Texas Rose Festival Association to further their impactful work in the community.

Other members of the court announced Friday night include:

Ladies-in-waiting

Miss Sarah Blair Coe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Alexander Coe

Miss Anna Catherine Culver, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Roland Culver

Miss Maryn Kelsey Davis, daughter of Mr. James Neil Davis and Mr. and Mrs. John Christian Kolbert

Miss Isabella Grace Egaña, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gonzalo Egaña

Miss Ella Rose Embry, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Todd Embry

Miss Carolina Aida Khalaf, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred S. Khalaf

Miss Gabriella Elizabeth Patterson, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Ryan William Patterson

Miss Reece D’Nan Porter, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Aaron Neal Porter

Miss Caroline Anne Randall, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Patrick Randall

Miss Elizabeth Claire Randall, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Patrick Randall

Miss Rowan Alexandria Reynolds, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Holland Reynolds

Miss Bailey LeeAnn Walker, daughter of Mrs. and Mrs. William Joshua Walker

Miss MaryClaire Woodard, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. William Kelly Hood and Mr. Bradley Gene Woodard

Royal attendants to the queen

Master Bradley Welles Bergfeld, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Clark Bergfeld

Miss Piper Reese Braswell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jason Dean Braswell

Miss Rosemary Scott Deere, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jason Alan Deere

Miss Everly Kate Edwards, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Emerson Edwards

Master Charles Blalock Hammond, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Samuel Hammond

Master Elwood Cooke Jennings, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ramsey Jennings Jr.

Miss Perry Meriwether Perkins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Joseph Perkins

Master Whitman Craig Robbins, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Carter Robbins

Master Clyde Thomas Wright, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ty Jonathan Wright

Some of the out-of-town duchesses and court escorts were also present for Friday night’s gala.

After the program, guests enjoyed dinner, drinks and entertainment.

Since 1933, the Texas Rose Festival has been held to showcase the community and the importance of the rose industry to Tyler. Tyler is named the “Rose Capital of the World,” due to the large amount of roses processed in the area. The Tyler Rose Garden is America’s largest municipal rose garden and is recognized in the National Register of Historic Places. Seven Tyler-area companies process and distribute several million roses each year and about 75% of all roses in the country are handled in Tyler.