Take in the Tulips at the 86th Annual Tulip Time Festival

The Pella Tulip Time Festival began yesterday, carrying on the tradition of celebrating Pella’s Dutch heritage with thousands of tulips planted throughout the city and events highlighting the Dutch experience. Visitors can see the beautiful blooms at the Festival through the end of the day tomorrow by visiting Tulip Avenue in Central Park and Sunken Gardens Park. Scholte House Gardens, on the corner of Main and Broadway Streets, also features more than 25,000 tulips, while Fair Haven Memorial Garden features over 13,000 and Central College tulip beds boast close to 15,000!

Attend Special Events at Tulip Time

Throughout the day today, a Historical Village & Vermeer Windmill Tour offers a new “The Wyatt Earp Experience,” a walk-through Wyatt Earp’s childhood home! Or, visit the Veterans Museum or Fire House Museum. Entertainment acts take place throughout the day, with a special performance by Pella High School’s Jazz 1 and AcaPELLA tonight as they perform their show, Frozen Heart. Events conclude Friday following a lighted-floats display from 8:30-9:30 p.m. near the Vermeer Windmill and a grand fireworks display sponsored by Pella Corporation! On Saturday, events continue with historical tours, organ recitals, grandstand shows and other entertainment, including Tyler Richton and The High Bank Boys.

See the full schedule of Tulip Time Festival events here.

Dine at Tulip Time

At the Festival, you will find traditional Dutch fare and other good eats from street vendors (try the Pella Bologna on a Stick!) and our local restaurants! Attend the Dutch Dinner Show tonight for an authentic Dutch meal and entertainment, just 4-5 blocks from the Festival at Central College. A Fly-in Breakfast will take place Saturday morning from 7-10 a.m. at the Pella Municipal Airport (PEA), where antique and experimental aircraft are on display and breakfast is served by Pella United Methodist Church. A shuttle is available for attendees to the Tulip Festival from PEA.

We hope to see you today and tomorrow in Pella to celebrate our Dutch heritage and take in the beauty of tulip season! Find more information at visitpella.com.

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^{Images were provided by the Pella Area Community & Economic Alliance. Photo credits: Klokkenspel with Tulips Header Image by Pella Community Services; Vermeer Windmill and Dutch Dancing by Ryan Vos; Molengracht Plaza by Melanie Mapes}