The 79th annual Tulip Festival is underway in Orange City, Iowa.
There’s more than wooden shoes hitting the freshly-washed main street or Central Avenue as they call it in Orange City.
“I love it. Everything about it, the people are friendly, perfect weather”
The community of 6,000 attracts an estimated 100,000 people during a three-day duration, including Kathy Van Bruggen from Spencer.
“I’m from Lake Charles, LA.. moved up here over 30-years ago.”
Kathy followed her husband to northwest, Iowa, and to today’s festivities.
“I’m Dutch Van Bruggen.”
REPORTER: “Your name is Dutch so I take it you fit in here.”
It was the Dutch from years gone by that started this annual attraction.
“This festival was basically formed in the 30s by people who were homesick. They wanted a few days to be able to celebrate their Dutch heritage.”
Cassie Baker’s in charges of media and promotions for the Tulip Festival.
“We're excited to invite people from all over for our parades and our costumes.”
REPORTER: “Describe your costume. You have an interesting look today.”
“All the costumes you see represent a province in the Netherlands. So, this one of kind of a party costume. I have all this gold adorned all over my head.”
“My hat looks like a bucket. Some say it looks like a lampshade on my head.”
“The costume is short sleeves today, so I am one of the lucky ones.”
Temperatures on Thursday afternoon hit the mid-80s.
But, this winter and wet spring made some, including the owner of the Tulip Town Bulb Company, Keri Drescher a little nervous.
“They’re unexpectedly doing well because of the weather we have had. In the last few days, we have had good weather so they are opening up and have good color.”
“We have different bloomers, early and late and all different colors and variegated. We have your basic tulip and peony tulips so they open up and look like a peony. They are my favorite.”
Many varieties of tulips grow at nearby Windmill Park.
That’s where Alexis Van Middendorp from Doon brings her two young children.
“I have been going since I have been a really little kid. It’s something I want to keep up with my daughters.”
“I’m a traditional girl so I love the traditions and I come from a strong Dutch culture and background.” “So, I Iove the Dutch pastries and the goodies.”
Easily the most sought out delicacy in the town square, Poffertjes made with mixers from the 1940s and 50s.
“We like the small bowl and we get more air in the mix and that helps the Poffertjes puff up.”
Volunteer Ann Minnick supervises the activities.
“This is the Little White Store. This building has been on the main street in Orange City since 1880. And the Dutch Heritage Boosters maintain the building. We sell Poffertjes from this quaint historical building with a secret recipe.
Minnick gives this advice for people picking up Pofferjies.
“If you think you can share one tray that’s not possible.”
REPORTER: “How many do you think you sell?
"Thousands and thousands and thousands of them.”
And, even without the Poffertjes, the Little White Store is one of the coolest places around.
“We put in air conditioning a few years ago. It’s hot work so we want our volunteers to come again.”
For many, the Tulip Festival is a long-time love, for others, a first-time experience.
“I have a horse that has done it 9 years and a horse that has done it this morning and he’s really nervous.”
“I’m Ron De Jong and I live in the first place west of Orange City.”
De Jong leads horse-drawn trollies through town.
“Rowdy weight 2,000 pounds and Charlie 1,800 pounds".
REPORTER: “They look like Clydesdales to me.”
“They are Belgium.”
REPORTER: “Are you Dutch?”
“Yes, I’m all Dutch.”
Whether you’re a native of the Netherlands or “Dutch” for just a day, the Tulip Festival blooms with tried-and-true traditions.
The Orange City Tulip Festival runs through Saturday night with street cleaning and parades twice a day. Hundreds of community members work to make sure the event is a success.
For more information from the City of Orange City click here.
