Rose Queen
Honorific title for spring festivals
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rose Queen (or Apple Queen,[1] Cotton Queen[2] or Harvest Queen) is a local or regional tradition associated with Whitsun processions[3] or June[4] festivals and fêtes similar to May Queen. Annual civic honorific titles are bestowed by local election or decision of a council to particular individuals, typically local young women.
it is likely the Rose Queen tradition developed simply because it was the wrong time of year for a 'May' Queen. However, beyond the name, there is no discernible difference between the two, and sometimes they exist side-by-side. The Rose Queens main function is to act as a focal point (albeit a relatively inactive one) in the procession or fête to which she is linked, and in some cases to act as a temporary minor celebrity, gracing other local events with her presence during the year of her reign.
History
It is a late Victorian invention[6] originating from North West England.[7] In the UK it has taken place in Cheshire,[8][9] Derbyshire,[10] Greater Manchester,[11] Lancashire,[12] Northwich,[13] and Llandudno.[14] In 1928 it was moved to Alexandra Rose Day.[5] In the 20th-century it expanded to Nanterre near Paris.[15] In America, a Rose Queen has been crowned in New York,[16] West Virginia,[17] and Texas Rose Festival.[18]
Today
Popularity of the tradition has decreased over the years.[19][20] Present day Queen of the Rose Parade is crowned at the annual Rose Parade, Pasadena, California, which remains a major event.[21] Popular saga author Katie Flynn has written a book titled The Rose Queen with the main characters as subjects of the tradition.[22]
See also
- Milk Queen
- Rose of Tralee an international pageant
- Walking day
- English rose (epithet)