Reasons To See The Tulip Time Festival in Holland, MI
Reasons abound for visiting the Tulip Time Festival in Holland, MI. through May 13
After a few false starts this year, if anyone doubts spring’s arrival a visit to Holland, MI should quell any lingering doubts. The town is ablaze of color and joy as the beautiful Tulip Time Festival is celebrated now through May 13.
There are parades and dances and, of course, food and music. But mostly, there’s a spirit of optimism as these colorful blooms burst through the recently-frozen ground and transform the town.
It’s easy to see why the tulip festival draws over 500,000 people annually. The variety of crowd-pleasing events, as well as the many beautifully-sculpted gardens provides a unique blend of activity and quiet reflection. There’s a welcome sense of camaraderie as people gather to celebrate the flowers, as well as the area’s rich Dutch heritage.
Centennial Park, with its almost hourly dance exhibits featuring traditional Dutch and Kinder/Middel Dutch Dance, most assuredly has more wooden shoes clogging along than anywhere else in the world.
“Dancing’s part of my soul. I enjoy it, it makes people happy, and it makes me happy.” ~ John Travolta
The three parades (People’s Parade Wednesday May 9, Children’s Parade Thursday May 10 and the Music Parade May 12) boast floats and bands and music along a two-mile route and on the other festival days trolley tours abound.
But as much fun as the gatherings are, the beauty of the tulip festival is also found in the pockets of calm amid the crowds. Yoga in the Tulips is offered May 7 and 13th, Windmill Island Gardens celebrates historical traditions, the tulip lane stroll takes you along colorful shady streets and even the pace of the vintage baseball game at Riverview Park on May 5 harkens back to a slower time.
“There are always flowers for those who want to see them.” ~ Henri Matisse
It’s easy to see why celebrating a warm spring day with family and friends after a long, dark winter was an incentive for the first Tulip Festival in 1929 – and it still rings true almost 90 years later.
And for folks enjoying their time at the festival, but who want to escape the crowds later in the day, we still have some vacancies at Wickwood Inn. We’re just about 12 miles south, but a world away. You can book now online or give us a call at 269-857-1465.