Rose Festival

Friends of the Rose hosted “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” a luncheon in honor of Elizabeth Katelyn Horton, duchess of the rose growers of the 75th Texas Rose Festival, on Tuesday at Willow Brook Country Club.

Texas Rose Festival Queen Sarah Elizabeth Clyde, ladies-in-waiting and their mothers were joined at the luncheon by festival volunteers and Friends of the Rose members. Tables were decorated with fresh-cut Tyler field roses, in keeping with this year’s theme, “A Royal Tribute to the Rose,” Friends of the Rose president Jill Howard said.

Jill King Ramey, a former rose queen, gave the invocation for the luncheon. Bridgette’s entertained guests with a style show, and Janie Stewart provided piano music throughout the event.

Festival participants will spend the week in rehearsals for the Texas Rose Festival, to be held in October.

“This luncheon is one of the first opportunities for members of the court, their families, volunteers, and other special guests to become acquainted before the fall activities begin in earnest” noted Jill Howard, president of Friends of the Rose.

Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Horton, is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Starley Hand, who have been active in the rose industry many years.

Friends of the Rose is sponsored by local businesses: Certified Roses Inc., Chamblee’s Rose Nursery, Hand Rose Farms, Hand Wholesale Nurseries, Heritage Land Bank, Jernigan Lone Star Realty, Lindale State Bank, Lone Star Rose Nursery Inc., Mea Nursery, Nix Roses, Ran-Pro Farms, Regions Bank, Rose Country Tractor, Roses USA, Tate Rose Nursery and Tyler Junior College.

An auxiliary of the Texas Rose Research Foundation Inc., Friends of the Rose traditionally hosts the summer luncheon heralding the start of the summer rehearsal season for members of the Queen’s Court and participates in the variety display at the Rose Garden Center during the Texas Rose Festival. Individual members include former festival participants, friends and family of those in the rose industry, and rose enthusiasts.

ROSE FESTIVAL EVENT: From left, Karen Hand, Duchess Elizabeth Katelyn Horton, Rose Queen Sarah Elizabeth Clyde and “Friends Of Rose” Vice President Faye Hand during the “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” luncheon at Willow Brook Country Club on Tuesday.
((Staff Photo By Jaime R. Carrero))