HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – Initial estimates from the Holland Area Convention and Visitors Bureau showed a 20 to 40 percent growth in attendance during the eight-day Tulip Time Festival that concluded last Saturday. This was based on a variety of factors, including hotel and motel reservations. Holland city officials say that Windmill Island Gardens set a new record for attendance at over 38 thousand during the festival. Official Tulip Time figures on revenue and attendees will be released later this summer.
Meanwhile, Holland Public Safety and Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department officials say that crashes in and around Holland during the eight-day Tulip Time Festival that concluded last Saturday were up more than 60 percent. Most of the total of 95 traffic incidents in Holland and Holland Township were considered minor, but there were two fatalities during that span. More visitors to the festival led to more congestion, along with various construction projects that cut into available parking access.