91st Texas Rose Festival Winter Gala and Benefit Thrusday, January 4, 2024, at Willow Brook Country Club. (Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo)

The 91st Texas Rose Festival promises to be an elaborate and showy display celebrating the city’s rose industry. Preparations for the longtime Tyler tradition are well underway, as things officially kicked off during the Winter Gala and Tyler Rose Museum Benefit on Thursday night at Willow Brook Country Club.

One of the highlights of Thursday’s black-tie event was the highly-anticipated announcement of the festival’s theme. For 2024, the theme is Fanfare of Festivals.

Fanfare is defined as a “short and lively sounding of trumpets” or a “showy, outward display,” according to dictionary.com. It is typically used to introduce someone or something important – fitting for Tyler’s longtime tradition of a Queen and her court who represent the Rose City and its storied history.

The 2024 logo was printed on a large board and propped up on an easel, tactically covered by a black velvet drape. When it came time for the announcement, Texas Rose Festival Co-Chairs Nicole Robbins and Chelsea Cooper joined on each side of the easel and unveiled the colorful logo. The reveal roused the crowd, which clapped in awe. Prior to the reveal, a video was presented to describe the meaning behind the theme and its accompanying logo.

The logo’s main component is a crown adorned with a number of jewels, broaches, and floral imagery, such as Texas bluebonnets. Golden roses sit atop the high points of the crown, each designed to look like a dress train. Other elements on the logo include cowboy boots, masquerade masks, a violin, and more.

Each piece of the logo is a nod to cultural, musical, and arts festivals across the world and highlight the beauty and wonder that the spirit of festivals inspire — including “our very own Texas Rose Festival,” said Robbins.

Festivals have a certain magic about them that promote unity, standing as a testament to humanity and honoring roots, according to Texas Rose Festival. For hundreds of years, festivals have continued to inspire, educate and bring people together. Over the years, all sorts of festivals have transformed, become larger and more diverse while promoting community and progress, according to TRF. The grandeur of festivals allows communities to “revel in the joy of life,” according to TRF.

The theme represents the “legacy of years past” meeting “the excitement of the present,” said Michael Young, Texas Rose Festival Vice President of Coronation.

Elaborate costumes for the court, including the queen, princess, ladies-in-waiting and duchesses, will be inspired by the theme. The festival’s designer, Jacob A. Climer, has been designing costumes for the Texas Rose Festival since 2021. Climer picked up the reins for longtime designer Winn Morton, who retired after the 2019 festival and passed away in May 2022.

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.

The gala 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. Additionally, the event is 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 the Julietta Jarvis Foundation and Jarvis family for their extraordinary contributions and service to the Tyler Rose Museum over the years.

The 91st Queen and her court were also announced at the gala. The royals include Queen Frances Olivia Faulconer, Princess Merritt Elizabeth Dial and Duchess of the Rose Growers Alice Elizabeth Milton.

Queen Frances is the daughter of Galen and Renee Faulconer. Princess Merritt is the daughter of David and Michelle Dial. Duchess Alice is daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Carver and Dr. and Mrs. Mark Milton.

Other members of the court announced Thursday night include:

Ladies-in-waiting

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

Miss Kasey Lynn Wright, Daughter of Drs. Renee & Scott Wright

Royal attendants to the queen

Master Reeves Parker Bankston, Son of Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Dalton Bankston

Miss Vivian Kate Deere, Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Jason Alan Deere

Miss Emerson Blaire Edwards, Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Ryan Emerson Edwards

Master John Keller Lahourcade, Son of Dr. & Mrs. John Austin Lahourcade

Master Mark Thomas Land, Jr., Son of Mr. & Mrs. Mark Thomas Land, Sr.

Master Lawrence Lewis Loggins, Son of Mr. & Mrs. Lesley Luke Loggins

Master Styles Jax Morris, Son of Ms. Ashley Mizer Morris

Miss Grace Lindsey Peveto, Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Grant Michael Peveto

Miss Camilla Rose Swann, Daughter of Mr.& Mrs. Elam Franklin Swann IV

Miss Kollins Jean Tucker, Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Harris Tucker