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Today: Current:80	Tuesday: 87/70	Wednesday: 90/72
Complete Forecast for  Sep 08 2008

TOP JOBS

Tylerites and tourists alike gathered at the home of Guy and Joan Pyron this morning to celebrate opening day of the 49th annual Azalea and Spring Flower Trail.

Aubrey Sharpe, chairman of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the visitors to the city’s annual spring festival. He spoke in the Pyrons' backyard garden, under a pergola Guy Pyron built himself.

The garden was immaculate: azalea blooms were starting to peak out from the bushes that lined the yard in rows. Other spring flowers blossomed beneath trees and along walkways.

“We do everything ourselves,” Mrs. Pyron said. “So, there’s a lot of pride in this. We moved to Tyler 14 years ago, so this is our way of giving back to the community we love so much.”

Mayor Joey Seeber also welcomed guests to the Azalea Trails, saying it’s a time when Tyler is at its most beautiful.

“Along with the Rose Festival, the Azalea and Spring Flower Trail is my favorite time of the year,” he said.

Brian McCalla, Tyler Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board chairman, introduced the 2008 Azalea Belles. The Belles are ninth and 10th grade girls who attend Tyler-area schools. The Belles include: Jacquetta Anderson, Rachel Baber, Ashley Bouvet, Misty Branham, Claire Chilton, Molly Cook, Meredith Cozby, Roxanne Davis, April Fleming, Ashley Nicole Fondren, Mehgan Frazier, Toni Hall, Lexi Hodges, Gabrielle Howland, Caylee Krouse, Whitney McDonald, Hannah McKeown, Temple Mims, Brookelyn Nickelberry, Kathryn Norton, Cynthia Ontiveros, Hannah Price, Mary Helen Reuter, Shelby Rhodes, Mary Caroline Selden, Shelby Lynn Staggs, Lauralee Stewart, Kandice Sutsch, Kaytlin Tharp and Caroline Williams.

Afterward, McCalla introduced the 75th Texas Rose Festival Queen, Sarah Elizabeth Clyde. Two Azalea Belles held up a flower-festooned ribbon, and Miss Clyde used a giant pair of scissors to cut the ribbon, marking the official start of the Azalea Trail.