Can’t make it to Pella in person to see the famous flowers? Watch the city’s live tulip cam on YouTube. Photo: Tulip Time.
That’s the slogan for Tulip Time next weekend, May 4-6, in Pella, where you can help locals celebrate the town’s Dutch heritage and famous spring flowers. Every year, local volunteers plant an estimated 200,000 tulip bulbs around town (and then cross their fingers that they bloom on time). The event has grown like a weed since it started in 1935, so check out the schedule of events to see everything in store. Many of the activities and attractions are free, but some require tickets in advance. Some highlights of the weekend include:
Tulip Bulb Sales and Flower Show: Take the beauty of Holland home by buying bulbs or bouquets.
Tulip Queen and Court: Pay your respects to her royal highness, 2023 Tulip Queen Cheyne Plants, and her royal court at 10 a.m. Thursday and Friday.
Parades: What’s better than a parade? How about six? The processions of marching bands, floats and Dutch-costumed street sweepers start at 2:30 and 8:30 p.m. each day of the festival.
Dutch treats: Vendors sell all kinds of Midwestern and Dutch specialties, including Dutch letters, poffertjes, stroopwafels and Pella bologna.
