A gown from the Whitehouse YesterYear Celebration is on display at Prestige Estates. (Sarah A. Miller/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

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The Rose Festival events have begun and Prestige Estates Retirement Community in Tyler is prepared with their 8th annual gown exhibit “Festivals Gone By.” Prestige Estates is welcoming the public to the free gown exhibit which features gowns from past Rose Festivals and gowns from Ms. Texas Senior Classic Pageants as well as a prom gown dating back to the mid 50s.

“The public can expect to see about 20 to 25 gowns at this year’s exhibit,” said Jo Anne McMeans, Community Relations Liaison for Prestige Estates. “Eight gowns are from the Dallas and Plano area from formal queens, court members and contestants that participated in the Ms. Texas Senior Classic pageant.”

Two residents at Prestige Estates, Mrs. Rodean Lipscomb and Mrs. Nelda Loudamy had granddaughters that were affiliated with the Rose Festival and with Yesteryear in Whitehouse and they supplied their gowns that were worn. According to Mrs. McMeans one of the gowns on display is hot pink and has a 14-foot-long train that took some creativity to set up in the lobby area.

“We want to thank the residents that are sharing the beauty of their granddaughter’s gowns and it’s so great they shared them with our community,” said Mrs. McMeans. “The gowns are beautiful and definitely worthy of being on display at our exhibit.”

The exhibit will also feature Prestige Estates resident Mrs. Loudamy’s prom gown. Mrs. Loudamy designed and sewed her gown for her Prairie Valley High School prom with her mother, Mrs. Zella Rose. The skirt is candlelight-colored satin and had a black netting overlay. It has a ballerina length hem. Mrs. Loudamy is excited about seeing her gown and photo again and sharing it and fond memories with others in the community.

For more information on the “Festivals Gone By” gown exhibit at Prestige visit the assisted living facility at 6928 Paluxy Dr. in Tyler. The exhibit is from from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 4 to 18 Mon. through Sat. and on Sun. from 2 to 6 p.m.

Twitter: @TMTMelissa