Azalea District residents asked to take down political signs for duration of Trail | Community Spirit

Released by the Tyler Chamber of Commerce:

Tyler, TX-March 21, 2012- Spring has officially sprung!  The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) are excited to welcome thousands of tourists to Tyler to see the community at a time when it is looking its best. 

In 2011, the estimated economic impact for Tyler was over $2 million.  The Chamber is asking residents along the Trail route to remove any political signs from their yards for the duration of the Trail to enhance the tourists’ experience.  According to Chamber CEO Henry Bell, “This is one of the most beautiful times of year in Tyler and we really want the Trail route to look its very best.” 

It is for that reason the Chamber and CVB are requesting the political signs be taken down until the Trail concludes on April 8. For three weekends tourists will tour the trails and attend annual events scheduled all over Tyler. The Azalea and Spring Flower Trail features a ten mile tract of beautiful azaleas, dogwoods, spring flowers and of course, the ambassadors of the Trail, the Azalea Belles will be on hand to greet guests and pose for pictures.

This annual event will kick-off this Friday March 23 with a ribbon cutting and opening ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. at the Pyron Home located at 212 W. Dobbs.  For more information about the trail contact Kim Morris at 903-592-1661 or download a brochure of events at www.visittyler.com.

The History

This year marks the 53rd time Tyler has opened its doors and welcomed guests from all over to stroll our streets, join our events, and bask in the beauty that is Tyler in the spring.  While oil booms gave Tyler an economic head start in the 1930’s, azalea and rose blooms gave the city its beauty. Azaleas were introduced to Tyler in 1929 by Maurice Shamburger, one of the city’s early nurserymen. Pleased with results of a test garden of azaleas, Shamburger shipped the colorful plants to Tyler by the boxcar loads from Georgia. By 1960, the blooming azaleas were attracting much attention, and that year the Chamber of Commerce established a marked route. The first Trail featured about 60 homes on a five-mile route.

The Trail was an instant success. Within two years it had expanded to 75 homes and attracting 15,000 visitors. By 1964, 25,000 people a year were coming to see the azaleas. In 1986, it expanded to two miles and then expanded again in 2009.  The Trail now stretches ten miles and attracts over 100,000 visitors to Tyler every year.  Keep up with current pictures and events on Facebook, TylerAzaleaTrail.

Visitors may obtain trail information at The Chamber of Commerce located at 315 N. Broadway Monday-Saturday from 9a.m. until 5p.m. and on Sunday from 11a.m. until 3p.m. from March 23-April 7.  Complimentary visitor packets are available by calling 800-235-5712 or at  www.visittyler.com.