Back at it again after a busy weekend! This past Sunday we celebrated the Rose Festival and attended the picnic in the park, this is a local tradition that started 59 years ago! The Rose is our official flower, and the rose festival is a Spring/Summer event that celebrates all of the wonderful things that Jackson has to offer. Jackson MI, is known for its abundant and beautiful parks, lakes and waterways, recreational resources and of course roses.
A little more history for you… For decades, Ella Sharp Park, community and residential gardens have cultivated the rose. In 1931, the rose was chosen as the official flower of Jackson and we became known as “The Rose City”.
In 1958, The Jackson County Rose Festival was inaugurated with The Jackson County Rose Parade, followed by The Jackson County Rose Queen Pageant in 1960. The Parade is a celebration for local organizations to honor and reward individuals and groups. The Parade allows schools, scouting troops, churches, civic organizations and businesses to promote a positive image of themselves and the Jackson area. The Rose Parade is one of the largest in Michigan with over 100 entries each year.Over the years, various Rose Festival events complement the Parade and Pageant including the Picnic in the park event featuring a good old fashioned pie eating contest!
The event has not changed much since it inception, the route changed slightly for a couple of years and reverted back to the original location in honor of the 50th anniversary. However the picnic in park, and pie eating contest have held strong and still take place today!
So why the history lesson, well… our daughter Brianna was in the parade this year as Miss Teen JTV, proudly driven down the parade route with her Mentor Celia Napoletano, by none other that her very proud Dad, and big brother. It was truly an honor for one of our kids to be a part of such a wonderful community event.
Barnwood and Baked Goods 