Pella Tulip Festival (aka Pella Tulip Time)

One of the best, small town festivals I’ve ever visited was the Pella Tulip Festival, officially named Pella Tulip Time.  It’s located in Pella, Iowa – a little under an hour southeast of Des Moines.  Most of the activities are free and it’s such a cute town with interesting Dutch history.  This is my second favorite Tulip festival in the USA after the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in Washington State.

The Pella Tulip Time

This 3-day festival takes place the first weekend of May, Thursday through Saturday.  It’s best to visit on Thursday or Friday because it’s not as busy as Saturday.

Center Square

Most of the Pella tulip festival activities take place within a block of the center square.  There are maps available around town and additional information available in the info booth located in the small Dutch windmill on the southeast corner of the square.

 Pella Tulip Time Day Parade

We found an empty bench on the west side of the square in front of city hall, but the next time we will bring our own camp chairs or sit in the grandstand for watching the parade.  The cool thing about this parade is each and every kid from school and many of the townspeople march in the parade in full old-time Dutch outfits.  There are even babies in Dutch bonnets, riding in old time baby buggies.  If you are from the Midwest and you dislike all the political figures in your local parades, this parade is for you.  The most political thing you see will be the mayor leading the Dutch street sweepers.  And there is no shortage of marching bands.  Keep your eyes open for Wyatt Earp, a former Pella resident.

View the Tulips

Everyone comes to see and photograph the famous Pella Tulips.  The best tulips are within a block of the center square.  The center square has patches with tulips of many varieties.  The names are on placards.  There are some other great patches of tulips in the small park off the northwest corner of the square, and in the canals behind the movie theater.

Entertainment

There’s entertainment all day long, some of it free and some for a small ticket fee.  Shows take place at the grandstand and in the opera house.  We got to see an oldies country show for $12 in the historic Opera House

 Tulip Time Tractor Rodeo

This was a new activity for me.  Living in Washington, I’ve been to a number of rodeos but never heard of a tractor rodeo before.  A tractor rodeo is when a competitor, from FFA student to farmers in their 70’s takes their turn at various tractor skills, from running a track with a rolling barrel to balancing the tractor on a teeter totter.

 Pella Tulip Time Night Parade

The night parade is touted as one of the most beautiful sights in Iowa, but that’s a little overhyped.  The night parade is almost identical to the day parade, but the floats are lit-up.  The Pella Window Company’s treehouse themed float is the best.

Wine Tasting

The Wijn House is close to the Opera House and has a wide selection of Iowa wines and other national and international wines.  On the day of the Pella Tulip Festival, they were selling wine slushies and had a $5 wine tasting that included a reusable wine tote and tastings from a couple Iowa wineries.

 Bakeries

One of the traditions of Pella Tulip Time is to sample the Dutch pastries.  There are a couple Dutch Bakeries in town, but it’s easy to spot the best one.  The line out of the Jaarsma Bakery leads down the block.

 Dutch Lunch

The local college puts on a great Dutch lunch in a hall just off the city main square.  $10 for all you can eat (but only one-time thru line).  Dutch beef, mashed potatoes, green beans, a yummy almond dessert bar, and the best pea soup I’ve ever eaten.

 Other Food

Wow!  The food!  I get sick of the overpriced commercial food stands at many fairgrounds, but this festival had all community-based charity food trucks.  It’s great to know your food dollars are going to the local FFA, Kiwanis, Lions, etc.

 Pella Tulip Time Parking

There are many free spots in the town if you can walk into the center.  Alternatively, there is a paid lot and shuttle on the west end of town and free parking and shuttle at the Calvary Christian Reformed Church on the northeast end of town (donations accepted).

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 Pella Tulip Festival – Where to Stay

There are a few hotels in Pella (Check Rates and Availability).  If you have a car and want to save money, you might choose to stay in Des Moines, which is less than an hour away.  (Check Rates and Availability)

 Best Time to Visit Pella Tulip Festival

Visit on the Thursday or Friday if you can – less crowds, more parking!

Check out these other great American Tulip Festivals:

Skagit Tulip Festival in Skagit County, WA

Holland Tulip Festival in Holland, MI

Wooden Shoe Tulip Fest in Woodburn, OR

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