In April, when she begins her yearly bloom, Tombstone's crown jewel brings life to the town. When it was planted in 1886, few had any idea it would grow to world-record capacity, much less lend itself to an annual festival in celebration of it.

This year's annual Rose Tree Festival commemorated the 126th blooming of the "World's Largest Rose Tree" with two days of events and performances celebrating the town and its history.

Friday night saw the crowning of Andrea St. Germaine as the 2011 Rose Queen during a nighttime ceremony under the branches of the sprawling tree. Highlights from the second day included the annual Rose Parade down Allen Street, along with several cultural musical and dance performances from local groups in Southern Arizona.

Camera-happy visitors packed the boardwalks on either side of Allen Street as gunfighters, mariachi singers, folklorico dancers and Victorian-clad ladies stole the show.