A playful twist on history — all for a good cause!
Centuries ago, the War of the Roses was a struggle for power.
At the Olympia Tumwater Foundation, we’re rewriting that story — turning it into a friendly, floral competition to support youth music in our community.
Welcome to the War of the Roses Raffle!
Your votes will crown the Victor of the Roses, all while helping fund the Tumwater Youth Music Program. And who knows? Your vote might also win you an unforgettable evening in the Centennial Rose Garden.
How It Works
- Pick your favorite rose from our four stunning contenders. You can read about them in detail below.
- Donate $10 to the Tumwater Youth Music Fund for each vote you cast.
- Each vote also enters you to win our War of the Roses Grand Prize:
- A private Happy Hour for four in the Centennial Rose Garden
- Two bottles of wine & a fresh-picked rose bouquet
- Storytelling and rose expertise from our very own “Rose Doctor,” Gary Ritchie.
The campaign runs July 11 – August 9, culminating at our fabulous Summer at the Schmidt event on August 9, 2025 — but you don’t need to attend to take part.
VOTE FOR ‘Waiheke’
Type: Grandiflora Introduced: 1999 by Sam McGredy IV (New Zealand) Fragrance: Moderate Heritage: A cross of ‘Joyfulness’ x ‘New Zealand’ Bold, vibrant, and lively — Waiheke is a modern beauty that loves the spotlight.
VOTE FOR ‘Elina’
Type: Hybrid Tea | Introduced: 1983 by Patrick Dickson, Dickson Nurseries (UK) | Fragrance: Light to moderate | Heritage: ‘Nana Mouskouri’ x ‘Lolita’ Classic elegance, soft fragrance, and graceful form — Elina is pure timeless charm.
VOTE FOR 'Escapade’
Type: Floribunda | Introduced: 1967 by Jack Harkness (UK) | Fragrance: Light, sometimes spicy | Heritage: ‘Pink Parfait’ x ‘Baby Faurax’ This playful rose delights with clusters of color and a lightly spicy scent.
VOTE FOR ‘Sidonie’
Historical rose ‘Sidonie’ The rose 'Sidonie' is a fascinating Old Garden Rose (OGR) with a complex history, as is common with many older heritage roses. It is typical of the kind of roses one might have seen growing in gardens around Olympia at the time of statehood (1898). Fragrance: It is consistently described as being very fragrant, adding to its appeal for gardeners who prioritize scent.