"Everything Is Turning Up Roses"

In Tyler

by: Bobby McDonald

Fancy dresses made of satin, lavish silk, sequins, and brocade, adorn lovely ladies, as they ride down the streets of Tyler, each autumn, and wave to the crowd. It's every little girl's fairytale dream to be a Tyler Rose Queen or Duchess in the gala and extravagant pageant, that unfolds sixty miles to the south. This year's 72nd Annual Tyler Rose Festival will be October 13-16, with Rose Queen Katherine Clair Noel King ruling as the empress of royalty.

The history of the Tyler and Smith County rose industry is a classic example of "turning lemons into lemonade." Smith County was a fruit and vegetable growing region, much like Hopkins County, to her north, when a late 1920's fungus attacked the primary peach crop of the region, sending farmers to the brink of bankruptcy. Ingenious farmers turned to roses as an alternative crop that adapted well to their sandy soils. And, they prospered to the point of making Tyler, Texas, the Rose Capital of the World. Farmers in Smith County export more roses than any other area in the world.

The Yellow Rose of Texas????? .......Go to the Rose Garden Center
and learn all about the species of roses and the many different varieties
that are available to add beauty to your garden.

The discovery of oil, by "Dad" Joiner, in the nearby pineywoods, created a "stir" during the Depression Era East Texas. Suddenly, dirt farmers were millionaires and "looking for ways to escalate the social ladder." That's when the humble beginnings of the Tyler Rose Festival began to take shape. In 1933, the Tyler Garden Club began the festival with the idea of creating something unique and exquisite to "put Tyler on the map." Soon, the festival grew into a magical production of world-class glamour, with high society benchmarks of extravagance.

Rose farmers continued their increase in production and something new and more glamorous was added to the festival each year. Lifelong dreams were realized when young ladies would be named to the court and chosen queen. Criteria for selection today states that a young woman must be a sophomore in college, the year of her participation.

This 1940's Era rose farmer is shown with his young daughter, who hoped someday to be a
member of the Rose Festival Queen and her court.

"The gowns worn during the Rose Festival are some of the most exquisite in the world," denotes a former Queen. "The average gown costs between $10,000. and $20,000. and must be financed by the girl and her family. And, a queen's gown can cost as much as $50,000.00!"

This year's Rose Festival theme will be centered around "The Greatness of Britain," and the gowns in the production, as well as the stage designs are the product of Mr. Winn Morton, who has renown experience as a costume designer on Broadway, as well as other theatrical skills. Morton lives south of Dallas and provides his designs to the girls and their families, who will be participating in this year's pageant and festival.

The events of the 2005 Festival begin on Thursday, October 13th, with the official ribbon cutting by the Rose Queen at 10:00 a.m., at the Rose Garden Center. Guests will be able to attend the Rose Show and the Tyler Rose Museum throughout the day. Then, at 1:30 p.m., you can purchase a ticket for $17.50 and attend the Coronation Matinee of the Queen and her court. The gala Rose Festival Queen's Coronation and presentation of her court, at the University of Texas at Tyler-Cowan Center, begins at 7:30 p.m., with reserved seating. Tickets are $45.00 and $30.00.

Friday, October 14th's activities, include tours of rose nurseries throughout the day and access to tours of the Rose Museum. The Queen's Tea is scheduled for 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., where refreshments are served and you will have the opportunity to visit with the reigning queen. Another, reserved seating coronation is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., with tickets priced at $45. and $30.00.

Saturday, October 15th, marks the Texas Rose Festival Parade, as it travels through Tyler, west from Glenwood Blvd. and Front Street to Rose Stadium. Tickets must be purchased for seating in the Rose Stadium.

A variety of other activities are provided in the Tyler, Texas, area to include art exhibits, an arts and crafts fair, and other points of interest in the Rose Capital City.

For information and ticket purchases: call (903)597-3130 or visit the Rose Festival website at www.texasrosefestival.com.

Bring a little bit of Tyler home with you, by purchasing a
dozen roses at one of the many, many roadside stands located
throughout Tyler and Smith County.

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