The 93rd annual Texas Rose Festival's Queen’s Tea welcomed thousands of visitors to the Tyler Rose Garden on Saturday, October 17, 2026, offering the public an opportunity to meet the Rose Queen and her Court. With clear skies and a slight chill, attendees gathered to see 93rd Rose Queen Claire Ann Malone, Princess Brynn Eve Ballard, Duchess of the Rose Growers Emmy Elizabeth Brewer, and other members of the Court, all adorned in their Coronation costumes.
Texas Rose Festival Executive Director Liz Ballard, also the mother of this year’s Princess, noted the beautiful afternoon and the "thousands of people" who came out from across the community for the parade and the tea. She called the turnout "just a blessing."
A long-standing tradition of the Texas Rose Festival, the Queen’s Tea allows the public to interact with the Queen and her Court, collect autographs, and observe the custom-designed gowns up close. This year’s theme, "Celebrations Through the Seasons," was visually expressed through a vibrant array of costumes. Designs drew inspiration from holidays, seasonal traditions, and special occasions, showcasing elements like Christmas trees, candy canes, fall leaves, fireworks, a Fabergé egg, and a New Year’s Eve ball drop. This allowed visitors to appreciate the creativity and intricate details of each gown.
Ballard explained that the theme resonated with many, saying "everyone can relate to something in it." She commended Jacob Climer and his team—including fabric, crown, and jewelry makers—for their "incredible job" in bringing the vision to life.
The Queen’s Tea offers visitors of all ages a chance to participate in one of the festival’s public events, whether they are long-time attendees or experiencing the tradition for the first time. Families convened at the Rose Garden, taking photographs and gathering autographs from the young women representing the festival, creating lasting memories.
Jillian Williams, who traveled from Houston with her 3-year-old daughter, Ellie, found the Queen’s Tea to be an ideal occasion for her daughter to encounter members of the Rose Festival Court. Williams said Ellie "loved to get to see all the princesses" and enjoy the festivities. Ellie was particularly excited to meet Duchess Caroline Wilmerding Trevor Girard, who appeared as Snowflake, having captured the toddler's attention during Saturday morning's parade with her blonde hair and snowflake-themed attire. Williams remarked that her daughter was "definitely looking forward to meeting ‘Elsa.’"
Tyler native Annie Price also brought her 3-year-old daughter, Maddie, to partake in the festivities, particularly enjoying the refreshments. Price highlighted the quality of the cookies and tea, the beauty of the princesses, and the ideal weather. She also shared her appreciation for the parade's "variety of it with the bands, the dancing, and all the floats." Price, who does not attend the festival every year, wanted to introduce Maddie to the event this year to showcase Tyler's cultural offerings. She expressed her desire for Maddie to "see the appreciation of beauty in nature, and the way the flowers are all presented, the creativity in the dresses, and see the community coming together."
Adding to the Rose Garden’s festive ambiance during the festival were floral displays and event designs provided by GM Floral & Design. This luxury floral studio is owned and operated by Tyler designer Gib Maynard.
As the 93rd annual Texas Rose Festival neared its conclusion, organizers reflected on another successful year of tradition while already looking ahead to the 94th year. Ballard stated that while one is "always thinking about what you can improve or change," everything this year "has gotten a golden checkmark." She acknowledged the challenge of surpassing previous years but affirmed they "will keep gunning for Year 94."
The 93rd Texas Rose Festival is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, October 18, 2026, with several remaining events across Tyler. The annual Rose Festival Arts & Crafts Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Bergfeld Park, featuring over 90 vendors, live entertainment, and food trucks. Additionally, the Rose Garden Museum’s Texas Rose Festival Rose Display will be accessible to the public from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday at the Tyler Rose Garden.
