Tulip Time Festival

:"For the 2008 documentary film, see "Tulip Time Festival is an annual festival in Holland, Michigan. Tulip festivals are held in many cities around the United States of America that were founded or largely inhabited by Dutch settlers. It has been held every year in mid-May since 1929 and is currently the largest tulip festival in the United States. The festival currently runs from the first Saturday in May through the second Saturday.

Activities at the celebration include three parades, fireworks, a Dutch Market, various shows and concerts, a craft fair, klompen dancing, and street scrubbing. The city of Holland has thousands of tulips lining the streets and in special tulip gardens throughout the city. It has been ranked as America's third largest town festival and named Reader's Digest's best small town festival.

History

Tulip Time's roots can be traced to a 1927 community beautification project. Lida Rogers, a biology teacher at Holland High School, suggested Holland adopt the tulip as its flower due to the city's close ties to The Netherlands.

In 1928, City council approved funding to import 100,000 tulip bulbs from the Netherlands and plant them in city parks.

The next year, the city invited visitors to come during the week including May 15. The success prompted an annual event to be born.

During World War II, Tulip Time was scaled back, returning with a four day festival in 1946.

The 1947 festival was geared towards celebrating Holland, Michigan's centennial. A tradition was started that year when Michigan's governor, Kim Sigler, donned a Dutch costume and took part in the festivities.

As America celebrated its bicentennial in 1976, Tulip Time was honored with the presence of President Gerald R. Ford.

In 1991, Tulip Time expanded from four to ten days.

In 2001, the festival was shortened to eight days and moved up a week to better coincide with when the tulips were in bloom.

A carnival was added in 2003.

In 2008, the outdoor concert series was moved to a new location, Sixth Street Stage at 6th street and College Ave. The outdoor venue was perfect for bringing in many visitors and featured concerts by "That 80's Band", "Bronk Brothers", "Pop Evil", "Fun In The Sun Band", "Shirey Brothers", "Jimmie Stagger", Lakeshore Idol Winner "LaShondra Leffler" and many more!

Performances

The Tulip Time festival has been host to performances by many well known artists.

2000 featured a concert by pop star Christina Aguilera.

2001 had a concert by the boy band O-Town.

2006 featured performances by Frankie Avalon, The Oak Ridge Boys, and Jars of Clay.

2007 hosted Bruce Hornsby.

2008 featured entertainment included Jonny Lang, Tony Orlando, and Ronnie Milsap.

Rating

In 2004, "Reader's Digest" rated the festival as the best small town festival in the USA. [ [http://www.rd.com/content/americas-best-home--garden/2/ America's Best Home & Garden: Best Home & Garden 2004 | Special Reports & Surveys | Reader's Digest ] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.tuliptime.org Official Tulip Time Festival Website]
* [http://www.holland.org Official website of Holland, Michigan]
* [http://www.tuliptime.com/about/festival_history/ Tulip Time History]