Orange City, Iowa — It’s time for many of Orange City’s residents to “get their Dutch on.” The annual Tulip Festival has been happening since 1936 with five years off during World War II, during which the town put on “Victory Days” instead.
Orange City Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mike Hoffman says the festival really does have something for everyone, young and old. Museums, flower shows, many kinds of music, dancing, the traditional street scrubbing, horse-drawn trolleys, pedicabs, a carnival . . . and food. Who could forget the food?
Hoffman says the theme this year is “A Tribute to Tulips.”
He says they always plant a variety of types of tulips so there are almost always some blooming during Tulip Festival.
The younger set and those young at heart will enjoy what is probably for most their first chance in 2017 to go on carnival rides. The rides actually start before the festival, with wristband night on Wednesday night, and the rides will be available all three days and into the night.
Hoffman says they have some art-related opportunities as well.
He says the night show runs every night, Wednesday through Saturday, and tickets are going fast.
Other can’t-miss opportunities at Orange City’s Tulip Festival include the Dutch Street Organ, the Century House, the Vogel Mill, wooden shoe carving, and much more. Again, some Tulip Festival activities start Wednesday night, and the festival runs Thursday through Saturday in Orange City, with a community worship service capping off the festival for the year on Sunday morning at 11.
