The 2019 Texas Rose Festival Kicks Off in Less Than Two Weeks

It's the prettiest month of the year in Tyler.  The annual Texas Rose Festival officially runs from October 17 through 20, but there is one other event between now and then that will help set the stage.

This will be the 86th annual Texas Rose Festival, and if you've been around long enough to attend every one of these gorgeous events you are winning at life.  People will drive for hundreds of miles again this year to come and see why we are the Rose Capital of America.  We might also be the barbecue, salsa, and little league capital, but those arguments are for another day.  Roses will get the focus this month.

Before the festival officially gets underway, they'll hold the 6th Annual Roses in the Park with family entertainment at the Bergfeld Park Amphitheater - 1510 S. College Avenue. That will be next Saturday, October 12 from 7 pm to 10:30 pm.

Then between Thursday, October 17 and Sunday, October 20, prep yourself for the art show, men's and ladies' luncheons, the coronations, and of course, the big, beautiful rose display.  The complete schedule of events is listed at TexasRoseFestival.com, but here are a few of the highlights.

Every day - Texas Rose Festival Rose Show Display - Rose Garden Center
Free admission. Hours will be from 9 am to 5 pm Thursday through Sunday, and Noon to 4 pm on Sunday.

Friday - Texas Rose Festival Men’s Luncheon - The Cascades, 4511 Briarwood
Guest Speaker will be Barry Switzer, Former football coach of the University of Oklahoma and NFL coach of the Dallas Cowboys.  Tickets required - $50 and up.

Friday - Texas Rose Festival Ladies’ Luncheon - Crosswalk Conference Center, Green Acres Baptist Church.  Whitney Wolfe Herd, Founder & CEO of Bumble. Tickets required - $50 and up.

Saturday - Texas Rose Festival Parade - West from Glenwood Blvd. & Front Street.  Parade Route is free, but East Side reserved seating tickets are $7-$10.

Saturday - Rose Festival Arts & Crafts Fair - Bergfeld Park, 1510 S. College
Browse through more than 75 vendors for art, jewelry, photography, mixed media, food, wine and more. Free movie in the amphitheater at 7:30 pm.

Now, if the weather will just stop being hot that will pave the way for a really awesome Rose Festival.  Sunny and 75, anyone?  Regardless, it's gonna be fun.