Posted 3:44 am Sunday, October 17, 2010
Thousands Flock To Rose Festival Event
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By MELISSA CROWE
Staff Writer
A crowd of more than 16,000 lined Front Street on Saturday morning, "ooh-ing" and "aah-ing" at the floats in this year's Rose Festival Parade.
Staff Writer
A crowd of more than 16,000 lined Front Street on Saturday morning, "ooh-ing" and "aah-ing" at the floats in this year's Rose Festival Parade.
Of that crowd, Veronique and Pierre Ghestem, two travelers from Lille, France, were impressed with the parade and its organization.
Ghestem said they had been in the country only 10 days and were exploring Texas before heading to Michigan to see their daughter. They heard Tyler was the "Rose Capital" and came to visit.
Ghestem said he was amazed at the involvement of the schools and parents to have their children involved with the annual parade.
"In comparison with Europe, there are many, many more children in this parade," Ghestem said. "Mostly in Europe, it's musicians and adults."
Area school marching bands, dance troupes and cheerleading squads made up a large portion of the more than two-hour procession of the 77th Texas Rose Festival Parade.
The pre-parade show kicked off at 9 a.m. at Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium with the Tyler Junior College Apache Belles, TJC Marching Band and Dance-N-Drill Flyers.
Kacee Mullikin, 17, twirled her baton with the Steppin' Up and Turning Pointe group.
She said this was her fifth year in the parade.
"It's so much fun," she said. "It's this huge parade that only Tyler does."
"It's so much fun," she said. "It's this huge parade that only Tyler does."
She said the energy and attitude from the crowd make the event a Tyler signature.
"It was so much fun coming as a kid," she said. "I'd sit on my dad's shoulders, and now I'm finally in the parade."
Kjerstyn Morris, 11, and her sister Klaryssa, 7, planned the day they could be in the parade as the vibrant floats rolled past.
"I think it's awesome," Kjerstyn said. "I'm figuring out what to do with junior high band."
She said she plays flute in the Whitehouse Sixth-Grade Band, and next year will march with the Seventh and Eighth-Grade Band.
Alex and Ann Botelho and their daughter, Grace, had their first Rose Parade experience this year.
The Sharon Shriner's Jeep patrol, Ben Wheeler Hog Bus, belly dancers and colorful floats were a big hit.
Mrs. Botelho said they came to support their son, who marched with the Whitehouse Junior High Band, but were equally impressed with the support.
"This has been a pretty good parade," Botelho said. "Obviously, I'm pretty biased toward my son, but there's been a lot of variety."
Hailee Hamblett and her friend, Amy Cagle, staked out their place at 7:30 a.m.
Miss Hamblett said they thought the parade started at 8 a.m.
The two came prepared with blankets and lawn chairs.
"We're so glad to be here," Miss Hamblett said. "It's been a great morning."
Both had participated in the parade as members of their school's drill teams.
"It's different being on the outside," Miss Hamblett said. "It's exciting and pretty and a place to
showcase your talents."
