HOLLAND, Michigan — If you haven't had a chance to head to Holland for Tulip Time yet, festival organizers want your expectations for fields of flowers to be realistic with current conditions.
"Sadly the tulips haven't made it," the Tulip Time Festival wrote in a Facebook post on Monday.
Organizers are saying that most tulip beds are "on their last legs" just a few days into the annual festival. They estimate that about one-third of the tulips in the city are still in bloom, while only one-quarter are still in bloom on Windmill Island.
“We want to make sure people have accurate expectations when they come to the festival,” Gwen Auwerda, Executive Director of Tulip Time said.
Organizers said that the tulips bloomed early this year and despite cooler nights and clear skies, the tulips did not last through the festival. The wind and storms over the weekend also worked to exacerbate the problem.
And while you should temper your expectations if you plan on visiting this week, there are still lots of events to attend.
“While Holland may be renowned for its tulips and vibrant Tulip Time festival, our city boasts a richness beyond floral displays. While the festival beautifully showcases our Dutch heritage through traditional dance and tulip admiration, Holland’s community spirit thrives year-round with an array of diverse activities and events. From cultural celebrations to recreational pursuits, there’s always something for everyone to enjoy beyond the petals," said Linda Hart, Executive Director of the Holland Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
You can find a complete list of events at Tulip Time here. You can stay up to date with what's happening at Tulip Time by following their Facebook page.
This isn't the first time Mother Nature has forced an early bloom for the festival. Tulip Time said they had a shocking early bloom in 2012, and in 2021, temperatures in the 80s in early May caused a short blooming period.
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