HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Tulip Time Festival‘s executive director Gwen Auwerda has announced initial plans for 2021 include four main events and hopes that the pandemic will not force cancellation of next year’s plans as they did in 2020.
Auwerda told WHTC it simply doesn’t make sense to encourage hundreds of thousands of people to visit Holland, because that wouldn’t be healthy for visitors and it wouldn’t be healthy for the community.
Planning and fundraising for Tulip Time while following recommendations and directives of the CDC, the State of Michigan and our Ottawa County health officials has required flexibility and agility. Auwerda said the 2021 festival, set for May 1-9, will feature outdoor-only events aimed and allowing people to enjoy the festival while limiting the spread of COVID-19.
That has meant changes to allow for greater social distance and, in some cases, better parking, as with the Artisan Market, which is traditionally held at Centennial Park. These events will include tickets for specific times, to regulate the flow of people and limit crowds, Auwerda said.
The main events planned are:
- May 1 and 2: Tulip Time Artisan Market, at the outdoor grounds of Beechwood Church on Ottawa Beach Road
- May 1: Tulip Time Run, in person if possible, otherwise virtual
- May 1 through 9: A new Tulip Immersion Garden, at Dunton Park in Holland Township. The garden is to be the first U.S. installation by artist Ibo Gulsen of The Netherlands, famous for his floral displays worldwide. He’s a member of the World Tulip Summit and the International Garden Tourism Network.
- May 1 through 8: Dutch Marktplaats, with a new Dutch Dance Costume Exhibit, at Holland Civic Center Place
Details on these events, ticket information, and on-sale dates will be announced later, but Auwerda said ticket prices will be around $10.
As for festival favorites such as Dutch Dance, the carnival, and parades, it’s still too early to know, Awerda said.
“If Tulip Time can safely host a parade, it would likely be on Saturday, May 8, with no grandstand seating,” she told WHTC. She does expect to need festival volunteers, and will announce details next year.
Tulip Time has been a tradition in Holland for more 90 years. Despite the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, Auwerda said what can be counted on is that millions of tulips have been planted and “will burst forth this coming spring.”
The festival has a page on Facebook, and an email list https://www.tuliptime.com/about/join-mailing-list with more announcements planned after Jan. 1, 2021.
Anyone looking for Tulip Time Festival merchandise, including notecards, ornaments, and coffee mugs featuring Holland artist Aron Lowe’s 2021 artwork, “Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Spring is Here” can visit the festival website to shop online at https://store.tuliptime.com.
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