Texas Rose Festival officially begins with ribbon cutting, prayer service

Published 4:00 pm Thursday, October 13, 2022

The 89th Texas Rose Festival officially began Thursday morning with a ribbon cutting and prayer service.

Members of the Rose Festival court, families and community members gathered in the Rose Garden Center for an “enchanting” start to the festivities.

This year’s theme is “Empires of Enchantment” and features regal gifts from around the world. The ceremony featured the Rose Festival Display, a large lion made out of roses. The display will remain up throughout the festival and is free to the public to view from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Rose Garden Center.

During Thursday’s festivities, Rose Festival President Thomas Brown encouraged community members to visit the 14-acre municipal rose garden, which “is listed as a national treasure in the United States.”

Queen Molly Louise Berry and members of her court spoke about what it means to be a part of Tyler’s oldest and longest celebration.

“It has been a thrill of a lifetime to have served this year as Queen of the Texas Rose Festival,” Berry said. “We live in a great city and have a rich heritage as the Rose Capital of America as we still process over one-fifth of the world’s commercially sold roses right here in Tyler, Texas.”

Over the next three days, Berry said she looks forward to celebrating the community and Tyler’s heritage.

“I hope you all create memories that last a lifetime and that you always remember your time in the city of roses,” she said.

Texas Rose Festival Princess Olivia Bristol Young also spoke to the crowd.

“For nearly 100 years, the Texas Rose Festival has reunited families and brought hundreds of thousands of guests to our beautiful city,” Young said. “I am so grateful for this festival. So many lives, so many businesses and so many families trace their love and investment in our city to this event.”

Young said she is especially looking forward to the parade Saturday and the diversity included this year. For the first time, the Hispanic community has been officially invited to participate in the parade and more than 40 girls will participate, showing off the tradition of quinceañeras.

Duchess of the Rose Growers Hadley Hills Brewer also expressed her excitement to be involved and the importance of Tyler’s heritage.

“While growing up in Tyler and having many family members involved in the rose industry and the Rose Festival itself, I’m aware of what a tremendous role the rose industry has played in establishing Tyler as the Rose Capital of America,” Brewer said.

Through the work and dedication of volunteers, the Texas Rose Festival has been kept alive, Brewer said.

Guest speaker Matt Magill spoke about the paradox of the rose being beautiful but having the ability to cause pain through its thorns. While this is true, as a person it is important to continue growing because “each of us are ever learning how to extol beauty and mitigate against pain.”

A musical tribute was given by vocalist Debra Hammons, accompanied by Gary Blevins on the piano. Hammons sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “Lean on Me.”

Friday events

Texas Rose Festival Rose Display, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Rose Garden Center, 420 Rose Park Drive. Admission is free.

Palette of Roses Art Show and Sale, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Rose Garden Center, 420 Rose Park Drive. Admission is free. Information: www.paletteofrosesartleague.com

Walk & Talk in the Rose Garden, 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Rose Garden, 420 Rose Park Dr. The Smith County Master Gardeners will offer guided tours through the rose garden and botanical garden.

Texas Rose Festival Men’s Luncheon, 11:15 a.m. at The Cascades, 4511 Briarwood Rd., featuring a guest speaker. Tickets are $50 and up and can be purchased at www.texasrosefestival.com.

Texas Rose Festival Ladies’ Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. at Rogers Nursing Health Science Center, corner of 5th Street and Fleishel, featuring guest speaker Jennifer B. Pickens, who is a White House social expert, historian and author. Tickets can be purchased at www.texasrosefestival.com for $100 and up, and seating is limited.

Texas Rose Festival Matinee Coronation, 2 p.m. at the R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center, 3900 University Blvd. An impressive theatrical experience for visitors of all ages that boats a unique theme with gorgeous gowns, staging and an intriguing story. Tickets from $15 to $45 at www.texasrosefestival.com or in-person at the UT Tyler Cowan Center Box Office, 3900 University Blvd.

Roseland Plantation Afternoon Tea and Historic Tour, 2 p.m. at 2591 State Hwy. 64, featuring a four-course afternoon tea and historic plantation tour. Tickets: $40 per person, all-inclusive or $10 for tour only; reservations required for both. Information: 903-849-0205 or www.roselandplantation.com

Special exhibition at the Historic Goodman-LeGrand House & Museum, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. now through Oct. 29 at 624 N. Broadway Ave. in Tyler. Vintage Rose Festival gowns will be on display inside the home and guests can take a stroll on the home’s beautiful grounds. Admission: Free, with a suggested $2 donation. Groups of 10 or more are asked to call ahead. Information: 903-531-1286 or www.goodmanmuseum.com.

Texas Rose Festival Evening Coronation, 7 p.m. at the R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center, 3900 University Blvd. Tickets from $20 to $85 at www.texasrosefestival.com or in-person at the UT Tyler Cowan Center Box Office, 3900 University Blvd.

View the full schedule of weekend events at www.tylerpaper.com or www.texasrosefestival.com.