Orange City, Iowa — Another springtime tradition is going to have to be canceled this year. The Orange City Tulip Festival is canceled due to COVID-19.
Over the course of the last month, the Tulip Festival Committee says they have been meeting regularly to monitor the COVID-19 situation in our region and across the country to assess its impact on the 2020 Orange City Tulip Festival. They say that given the current recommendations from Governor Reynolds, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and other health professionals, the 2020 Orange City Tulip Festival has been canceled for May 14, 15 and 16, 2020. Committee members tell us the decision was made with heavy hearts but also with the utmost concern for the health and safety of the community and visitors.
A statement from the committee says that a decision regarding the Night Show will be postponed until June 1, at which time they will determine if the show can be postponed to a later date in 2020. Updates will be provided as decisions are finalized.
This isn’t the first time the Tulip Festival was canceled. In fact, the Tulip Festival committee says they have relied on the festival’s rich history throughout this decision process. The Orange City Tulip Festival did not take place during World War II years. Instead, this period in history was a time where families and communities focused on coming together in practical and meaningful ways.
The statement from the committee says, “Today, we do the same. We pause, take care of each other and find creative ways for the spirit of the festival to live on throughout the days and weeks to come. We are Vibrant Together, and we know the festival will take on an even greater meaning when we return to celebrate our 80th anniversary in 2021.”
