Orange City, Iowa (Sioux County Radio) — The 85th annual Orange City Tulip Festival officially begins this week, with the Tulip Festival Night Show on Tuesday evening ahead of the festival’s traditional run from Thursday through Saturday.
Festival Chair Jennie Droog says this year’s tulip bloom is a little different than usual because of early-spring weather, but visitors will still have plenty of color to enjoy throughout town.
The warm start to spring caused some tulips to bloom earlier than normal. Droog says that unpredictability is simply part of working with nature each year.
Windmill Park Renovation Adds New Attraction
One of this year’s major additions is the newly renovated Windmill Park, featuring updated landscaping, sculptures, and gathering spaces.
Droog says even if some tulips in that area bloomed early, visitors will still have plenty to experience.
The renovated park also ties into several new features planned for the 85th anniversary celebration, including a live painting event during ArtBurst and a new parade float connected to the park’s restoration and Diamond Vogel’s 100th anniversary.
New Features Join Longtime Traditions
Alongside the familiar parades, Dutch dancing, food vendors, wooden shoe-carving demonstrations, and nightly performances, organizers are introducing several new features this year.
Among them:
- New regional Dutch costume for the festival court
- Klederdracht Tea cultural presentation
- Live painting event during ArtBurst
- Friday night fireworks
- New art displays tied to the 85th anniversary celebration
Droog says the festival continues to balance new experiences with longtime traditions.
She says that combination of heritage, entertainment, food, and community involvement is part of what continues drawing thousands of visitors to Orange City every May. She notes that more than 1,000 volunteers help make the event possible each year.
Festival Schedule Highlights
Tuesday – May 12
- 6:30 p.m. — Night Show: Anastasia
Wednesday – May 13
- 4:30 p.m. — Cruise-In Car Show
- 5:00 p.m. — Food Vendors Open
- 6:00 p.m. — Tulip Festival Ride Night
- 8:00 p.m. — Night Show
Thursday – May 14
- 1:00 p.m. — Straat Feest, Street Scrubbing & Volksparade
- 6:00 p.m. — Evening Volksparade
- Carnival Rides
- Tulip Talks in Windmill Park
- Dutch Dozen performances
- Wooden Shoe Carving Demonstrations
- Craft Show & Straatmarkt
- Horse-Drawn Trolley Tours
- 8:00 — Night Show
Friday – May 15
- 1:00 p.m. — Straat Feest, Street Scrubbing & Volksparade
- 6:00 p.m. — Evening Volksparade
- ArtBurst opens
- Tulip Talks
- Dutch Street Organ
- Klederdracht Tea
- Entertainment in the Street
- Fireworks
- 8:00 — Night Show
Saturday – May 16
- 7:00 a.m. — Fly-In Breakfast (Sioux County Regional Airport)
- 1:00 p.m. — Straat Feest, Street Scrubbing & Volksparade
- 6:00 p.m. — Evening Volksparade
- Tour de Tulips Bicycle Ride
- Tulip Festival Road Race
- Carnival Rides
- Street Entertainment
- ArtBurst
- 8:00 — Night Show
Sunday – May 17
- Community Worship Service at 11 a.m. at Windmill Park (Rain Location: First Reformed Church, 420 Central Avenue NW)
Additional schedules, ticket information, and festival details are available through the official Orange City Tulip Festival website.
KIWA Staff Photo
