May 5, 2006 3 min read

HOLLAND, Mich. – Tulip lovers don’t have to travel to the Netherlands to see the beautiful spring flowers. Instead, they can find exactly what they are looking for much closer to home in Holland, Mich.

Celebrating spring, tulips and the area’s unique Dutch heritage, the Tulip Time Festival blooms every spring in the town of Holland.

The townspeople usually welcome more than 500,000 visitors during the eight-day event, which will take place from May 6-13 this year.

Holland began planting tulips in 1927, after Lida Rogers, a Holland High School biology teacher, suggested it as a civic project to beautify the city and to honor the heritage of its residents, according to a press release.

Her idea met with favorable response, and 100 bulbs were planted the next fall. In 1929, a Tulip Time Committee was created to promote and plan festivities in the spring.

Since then, the Tulip Time Festival has been held every year, with the exception of two years during World War II when it was canceled, according to the press release.

Throughout the years, Tulip Time has received many global and national awards. Tulip Time is recognized as one of the “top 20” events in the world by the International Festival and Events association.

Each May, visitors will see the breathtaking springtime color with more than six miles of tulips, blanketing the entire city in a sea of beauty.

Some of the festival’s highlights include:

– 175,000 tulips are planted on Windmill Island.

– The Depot on Lincoln Avenue has 22,000 tulips surrounding the building.

– 20,000 tulips are planted in the downtown.

– 100,000 bulbs are at Window on the Waterfront (6th Street and College Avenue).

Additionally, individual homeowners and businesses plant thousands of tulips on their properties.

Bulbs planted at Washington Avenue and 12th Street are replaced yearly, while others are replaced as needed, which is approximately every two or three years, the press release said. Bulbs come from the Netherlands and are delivered to Holland by mid-September.

The investment in the community’s continuing beautification project costs nearly $75,000 each year, the press release said.

Since flowers bloom depending on the weather, several different varieties of bulbs are planted each year to ensure there is a colorful bouquet of blossoms throughout the eight-day festival.

There are seven species and 76 varieties of tulips, which include:

– Darwin Hybrid Tulip (Good for early tourism, the bulbs last five to six years.)

– Triump Tulip

– Lily Flowering

– Orchid (fringe) Flowering

– Cottage Tulip

– Darwin Tulip

– Peony Tulip (double)

Holland was founded in 1847 by Albertus Christian Van Raalte. The city was damaged by fire in 1871.

The Cappon House on 9th Street and Washington Avenue was built in 1847 by first Mayor Isaac Cappon, who owned a tannery during the Civil War.

The Holland area has a population of approximately 115,000. About 7,500 community residents volunteer their time during the Tulip Time Festival.

Nearly, 1,700 Holland residents participate as Klompen Dancers. The average Dutch costume costs $150 to make. Wooden shoes are made of poplar wood.

Tulip Time generates $15 million for West Michigan, including $10 million in the immediate Holland area.

This year’s entertainment line-up features several well-known artists. Three Dog Night will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at Wesleyan Auditorium. Frankie Avalon will perform at 4:30 and 8 p.m. Thursday, May 11, at Central Wesleyan Auditorium. The Oak Ridge Boys will play at 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday, May 12, at Central Wesleyan Auditorium. There is an admission charge for these shows.

Free live concerts also will be featured during the festival.

For more information, visit Tulip Time online at www.tuliptime.com.