Tyler

A rich kaleidoscope of colors greeted visitors as the Rose Show, recognized as the official start of the 74th Texas Rose Festival and related activities, got under way.
The Rose Show and activities took place at the Tyler Rose Garden Center, 420 Rose Park Drive, with a special ribbon cutting by Queen Grace Hartley Ramey.
The queen and duchess of the rose growers were honored as patrons of the “Roses for Food” program. A special donation was made in their honor and they were be presented with both the new Jackson & Perkins white hybrid tea, Pope John Paul II, and their own patron pin.
Jackson & Perkins national representative, board member of Catholic Charities and Chairman of “Roses for Food” Kevin Marshall, who lives in the Tyler area, made the presentation at the ribbon cutting held Thursday at the Tyler Rose Garden.
More than 14,000 rose blooms and 3,000 sparkling decorative butterflies were featured during the show as a tribute to the festival’s theme, “Nature’s Majesty.”
“I think it’s the highlight of the whole area,” said vice president Brad Brookshire. “The Rose Show is a spectacular entrance to the whole atmosphere of the Rose Festival. It gets people into the spirit of a great Tyler event that gives the city national recognition for our beautiful roses. The roses are in great shape this year. There’s a great display and terrific color.”
Rose Show and garden center hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Co-chairs of the event are Amy Egana and Peggy Smith. The designer is Raymond Krueger with Jerry’s Flowers.
“The event will feature a wide array of colors with a sunset-like motif,” said Ms. Egana. “It’s cheerful and reflects the colors of nature. It’s very pretty.”
More than 100 rose varieties will be arranged in bud vases and displayed in the alcove of the Rose Garden Center.
Craig Reiland, Rose Garden Supervisor, will be available to offer information about the various rose varieties. Immediately after the ribbon-cutting, the Brook Hill String Quartet will provide music entertainment under the direction of Jamie Reason.
The Tyler Convention & Visitors Bureau Information Center will highlight points of interest.
Freshly baked cookies, coffee and punch will be available to visitors throughout the four-day celebration. The hospitality table is sponsored by George and Linda Rose / State Farm Insurance. Cookies will be provided by Schlotzsky’s. Photographs taken by Tyler Junior College students during the 2006 Rose Festival will be on display in the Rose Garden Center.
Through their camera lens, these students present roses and festival association activities as artful archives, under the direction of Tamara Haynes, TJC graphic arts / photography instructor.
A special Rose café will be available in the Rose Garden Center, featuring food prepared by Traditions Restaurant and Catering. The café will be open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Rose-filled Pumpkins by Moore Farms will adorn the tables in the Rose Café.
Visitors who miss the 2007 Queen’s Coronation and Court Presentation can still enjoy the full-length presentation of Queen Grace and her Court on video, sponsored and produced by KYTX - CBS 19.
The Rose Theater will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free.
Also in the Rose Garden Center is the Tyler Rose Museum, a permanent exhibit showcasing the history of the Rose Festival and the rose industry.
The attraction is open all year. Admission is $3.50 for adults and $2 for children ages 3-11.
Museum exhibits for the Rose Festival includes: 1992 Queen, Kristie Leigh Hardin; 1977 Duchess of the Rose Growers, Brenda Jane Jones; 1981 Queen, Kay Elizabeth Fair; 1979 Queen, Claire Martin Ramey; 1984 Duchess Anne Windfohr Phillips as “Bird of Paradise”; 2005 Queen, Katherine Noel King; 2003 Queen, Elizabeth Arlene Lilly and attendant Carter Ann Jones; 1993 Queen Erin Elizabeth Simpson and attendant Grace Hartley Ramey; 2002 Queen Audrey Elizabeth; 1950 Queen Jill King; 1950 Trainbearer Miss Margaret Marsh; 1977 Duchess Denise Harvey, “Sunshine”; 1966 Queen Lynn Clawater; 1969 Queen Eugenia Key; 1969 Parade Float Clown, Denning Key; 1973 Queen, Amanda Warner; 1976 Lady-in-Waiting Dawn M’Lee Chapman; and 1979 Lady-in-Waiting, Suzanne Rabb Chapman.
Committee members include Betty Anderson, Rory Bagwell, Tracey Bedgood, Claire Bufe, Stacy Conner, Jo Ann Grooms, Jan Hancock, Kelly Hodge, Melissa Jackson, Crystal Martin, Larkin Simmons, Kim Wheeler, Molly Wolf.
Sponsors include: Rose Show, Bank of America – Tyler; Rose Garden Center/Activities, UBS Financial Services; Rose Garden Center Hospitality, George and Linda Rowe/State Farm Insurance, Schlotzsky’s; Rose Garden Center Signage, Fastsigns of Tyler.
Special appreciation is extended to city of Tyler, Parks and Recreation, Nix Roses and Cary Nix, Mrs. Imogene Kimberley and her “Rose Arrangers,” Schlotzsky’s, Tyler Convention and Visitors Bureau and Tyler Rose Museum.
The Texas Rose Festival Association acknowledges corporate sponsors for their generosity and support: KYTX - CBS 19; Tyler Morning Telegraph / TylerPaper.com; East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System; Royal Interests / Jack and Debra King; Southside Bank; AT&T; Austin Bank; Bank of America; Bracken Resources O.L.C. / Nancy Bracken Walden; Brighton; Brookshire Grocery Company; Delk Photography, Inc.; Dillard’s, Inc.; Flowers Baking Co. of Tyler, LLC; KLTV, Channel 7; Lamar Outdoor Advertising; McDonald’s of Tyler; Oncor; Order of the Rose; RPR Construction Company, Inc.; Regions Bank; Betty Jo Riter / Melinda and Tom Shoemake / Cynthia and Whit Riter; Suddenlink; Trinity Mother Frances Health System; Waller Broadcasting; Arthritis Clinic / William G. Brelsford, M.D.; BSCENE Magazine; Melvina and Herbert Buie; Carr Resources, Inc./Lucy and John Carr; Cavender’s Boot City; Citizens 1st Bank; Classic Toyota and Mercedes Benz; Coca-Cola; Denson Construction Co., Inc.; Dermatology Associates of Tyler; Fastsigns of Tyler; Flowers ~ Davis, PLLC; Holiday Inn Select; Horizon Transportation; KETK - TV; The Mansions at the Cascades Luxury Rental Townhomes; Martin • Walker, P.C.; Overhead Door Company of Tyler; Pilgrim’s Pride; Ramey and Flock, P.C.; Marilyn and Lanier Richey; Linda and George Rowe / State Farm Insurance; Schlotzsky’s; Sigal Heart Center; Texas Bank and Trust; Texas State Bank; Tyler Building Systems, L.P.; Tyler Today Magazine; UBS Financial Services Inc.; U.S. Ag, Inc.; Sherilyn and Patrick Willis.
The Texas Rose Festival Association is a community organization supported by private donations and organized by hundreds of volunteers.
For information regarding volunteer opportunities, sponsorships or support for Texas Rose Festival Association, contact Jennifer Gaston, executive director at 903-597-3130 or jennifer@texasrosefestival.com.