Enjoy The Most Colorful Spring Festival In Iowa At The Orange City Tulip Festival
Raymond Goldfield
Author
For most of the year, the small community of Orange City, in the northwest corner of Iowa, is a quiet, charming place. However, for one weekend in May, it transforms into something else entirely. Welcome to the Orange City Tulip Festival, a celebration of everything related to that famous bloom beloved by the Dutch. Orange City has a rich Dutch heritage, and they let it shine one weekend every May. Those who visit this tulip festival in Iowa will find a weekend’s worth of festivities, including delicious food, an exciting parade, and traditional Dutch dance and song. Of course, the star attraction is the tulips – and lots of them – that line the streets. No matter what you love about this event, there’s only one place to be this May 16th, 17th, and 18th: the 84th Annual Orange City Tulip Festival!
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Have you attended the Orange City Tulip Festival? Let us know about your experience at this tulip festival in Iowa in the comments section! You can learn more about this year’s event on the Orange City Tulip Festival website and the Facebook page of this tulip festival in Iowa.
You could even make tulip celebrations your theme this spring and visit Pella’s Tulip Time, as well. It happens two weeks earlier than the Orange City event if you just can’t get enough of these colorful blooms. If you’re planning to stay around Orange City for a few days, consider checking into the Hampton Inn Orange City – an affordable hotel with a five-star rating on Google.
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Best Spring Festivals In Iowa
What Are The Best Spring Festivals In Iowa?
- Syttende Mai, a celebration of the day Norway ratified its constitution, takes over Decorah every May 17th. Decorah is to Norway what Orange City is to the Netherlands, and it's home to Vesterheim, a massive museum celebrating the region's heritage. Vesterheim runs the festival, which involves a parade, traditional music and dance, and skilled artisans showing off their crafts and explaining the history of the town's historic buildings. Admission to Vesterheim is free for the day, so it's the perfect time to visit.
- TivoliFest is a joyous event in the town of Elk Horn, which has a rich and detailed Danish heritage. The 2024 event takes place on May 24th and 25th and is organized by the town's Danish Museum. Events include a charming parade that kicks off with the ceremonial raising of the flags, followed by a street fair involving photo ops, Viking recreation battles, and some of the best Danish pastries found anywhere in Iowa. Come hungry - you'll want to eat a lot of Ebelskivers!
- Iowa Eats Food & Drink Festival is the newest festival in Iowa, taking place at the Waterloo Convention Center in early April. In only its second year, this is a great convention to attend if you're interested in sampling the best of Iowa's food and drink! Last year's kickoff event featured tables including Hansen's Farm Fresh Dairy and their famous cheese curds, Lola's Fine Hot Sauce, and the massive decorated sugar cookies from Bambino's. The event is designed to benefit the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area in northeast Iowa.