Tulip Time Activities
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Join us for Pella’s celebration of Dutch heritage and vibrantly blooming tulips!
NOTE ON TICKETS: Tickets for most events can be purchased at the ticket booth at the corner of Main and Franklin near the Grandstand seating entrance.
Parades:
One of the highlights of our Tulip Time Festival is the parades! We have two parades daily, an afternoon parade at 2:30 pm and a lighted evening parade at 8:30 pm. Both the afternoon and evening parades feature elaborate floats, marching bands, and residents in authentic Dutch costume!
Although the parade can be viewed from anywhere along the route, the best way to see the parade is from the Grandstands. A Grandstand ticket will not only provide you with a reserved seat for the parade, but a perfect seat for viewing the Grandstand show, which begins 90 minutes prior to parade time. The afternoon Grandstand show features Dutch dancing and singing, a Dutch costume styleshow, cheese market demonstration, presentation of the Tulip Queen and her Court, and the famous street scrubbers. Grandstand seats are free for the evening show and parade thanks to the generous support of Central College.
Museums & Tours (Purchase Tickets Here):
Pella Historical Village Museum & Vermeer Windmill Tour
The Vermeer Windmill is the tallest working windmill in the United States! All windmill tours are assigned a specific time. Be sure to get your “Fast Pass” timed ticket at either the North Gate or the Gift Shop. A tour of the Village includes a guided tour of the mill, 21 other historic buildings and exhibits, and more than 45,000 tulips planted throughout the village. Live craft demonstrations take place throughout the day (Thurs-Sat). Tours begin at North gate. Open 10:00 am-5:00 pm Wednesday and 9:00 am-6:00 pm Thursday-Saturday. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for children, under 5 free.
Pella City Tour
Take a narrated open–air wagon tour of Pella! Learn about Pella’s many highlights as you travel past tulip gardens and historical landmarks. Tours take approximately 45 minutes. Hours are 9:00 am–4:30 pm Wednesday; 8:30 am–12:15 pm & 4 pm–6 pm Thursday–Saturday. $8 for adults, $5 youth (ages 5-18).
Scholte House
The founder of Pella’s beautiful home just north of Central Park; currently undergoing renovations and restoration but will be open by Tulip Time 2020 ($10 for adults, $5 youth ages 5-18)! Beautiful gardens behind the home are free and open to the public.
Tuttle Cabin
Located at 608 Lincoln Street, the Thomas F. and Nancy Tuttle Log House is the oldest building in Pella and is preserved and maintained by Historic Pella Trust. The cabin is a wood, 1.5 story “single-pen” (one room dwelling), originally constructed in 1843 with walls made of square hewn walnut logs about 6×6 inches. Tours 10 am-2 pm. $
Fire House Museum
The reconstructed 1882 building houses an antique fire engine, antique fire-fighting equipment and fire- fighting memorabilia, as well as a cold, desolate jail. Hours are noon- 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm-8:00 pm Thursday-Saturday. Free.
Pella Rolscreen Depot Museum
The Pella Depot Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and contains memorabilia of its early days as an important stop on the railroad system and the Rolscreen Corporation (now Pella Corporation). Hours are 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Wed and 8:00 am – 8:00 pm Thurs – Sat. 20 minute tour, free. Address: 102 Main Street.
Vermeer Corporation Museum
Located at 2110 East Vermeer Road, the Vermeer Museum reflects the company’s nearly 7 decades of growth from a family farm and business to a global corporation. Hours are 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Wed – Fri, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Sat of Tulip Time only. 30-60 minutes, self guided, free.
Veteran’s Museum
Visit the Veteran’s Museum sponsored by the VFW/American Legion. Items include a wide variety of artifacts from the Civil War through Desert Storm, most of which were donated by Pella citizens. Pella Memorial Building at 829 Broadway. Hours are 11:30 am – 2:00 pm, free.
Gardens:
Central Park and Sunken Gardens Park
The City of Pella plants hundreds of thousands of tulips throughout these two parks in celebration of Pella’s Dutch heritage. Especially vibrant and colorful is the Tulip Avenue Central Park which runs from the North fountain to the center of the park. An extensive variety of tulips are showcased along this sidewalk.
Fair Haven Memorial Garden
Originally planted in 1947 with the donation of tulip bulbs from Holland as a thank you for aid that the city of Pella sent after World War II, today these gardens feature over 13,000 tulips planted in 17 beds provided by the Pella Garden Club and primarily maintained by the Marion County Master Gardeners. Located five blocks southeast of the downtown square at the corner of East Third and Union Streets, the public is invited to view these lovely tulips.
Thousands of tulips are also planted in the Historical Village and Scholte Gardens (see museums).
Performances (Purchase tickets from the Pella Opera House)
The Reluctant Pioneer – the Story of Maria Scholte
Thursday, Friday and Saturday: Shows 10 am at the Pella Opera House Thursday and Friday, 11 am Saturday. The Opera House’s Great Hall will be transformed into Maria Scholte’s living room for this unique experience. The Reluctant Pioneer is a must-see! A thoroughly enjoyable one-woman live production by Beverly Graves, bringing to life Pella’s “first lady,” Maria Scholte. Catch an exciting glimpse of this important figure from Pella’s pioneer days.
The Music of Peter, Paul and Mary by MacDougal Street West
Thursday: Shows at 4:30 and 6:30pm at the Pella Opera House. The new flowering of a vibrant musical tradition was rooted in Greenwich Village of the early 1960s. The sounds of that era could first be heard nightly in the cafes stretching along fabled MacDougal Street. Today great folk still lives on in MacDougal Street West. Enjoy the music of Peter, Paul and Mary in this terrific tribute band with performers Ron Skelton, Mary Alberts, Rick Shore and Bill Rice.
Carpenters Once More
Friday: Shows at 4:30 and 6:30 pm at the Pella Opera House. Come celebrate one unforgettable voice and one unforgettable duo with the sounds of Carpenters Once More. Branson’s 2016 Tribute Show of the Year, and Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence Winner vocalist Diana Lynn portrays pop star Karen Carpenter like none other. From the birth of this dynamic brother/sister duo to the last of their public performances, the heartwarming production highlights hits like Yesterday Once More, Top of the World, Close to You, We’ve Only Just Begun, Mr. Postman, and many more.
Tiptoe Through the Tulips with Davis Folkerts on the Barton Theatre Organ
Saturday: 10 am at the Pella Opera House. Delight to the sounds of the Barton Theatre Organ, brought to life in a 45-minute program of music, some of which will be played as accompaniment to a short silent film! Performed by Pella’s very own Davis Folkerts, an accomplished organist and Professor Emeritus from the Music Department of Central College.
Central College Flying Pans
Saturday: 4:30 pm at the Pella Opera House. The Flying Pans will perform energetic and soothing sounds of the steel drum featuring calypso, soca, Latin, jazz and rock. Don’t miss this upbeat music group at the Pella Opera House!
Displays
Pella Garden Club 58th Annual Flower Show
The flower show features over 60 arrangements; tulips used in all fresh designs. Flowers grace antique furnishings of four vintage houses and a replica of Dominie Scholte’s 19th century church. Tulip bulbs from Holland can be ordered at the flower show. Hours are 9:00 am-6:00 pm Thursday-Saturday at the Historical Village’s Scholte Church.
The Klokkenspel
Enjoy the 147-bell carillon as you watch figures tell of Pella’s early history or see a series of popular Tulip Time displays. The five bronze bells at the top were cast in Holland. Normal yearly performance times are 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm and 9pm with additional performances during Tulip Time. The Klokkenspel is located a half block east of the square on Franklin Street.
Dutch Masters Antique Auto Display
Car buffs will love these antique cars on display! 8:30 am- 7:30 pm, Wells Fargo Bank parking lot.
Red Rock Threshers Antique Implement Display
Antique tractors and equipment on display. 9:00 am-7:00 pm, Franklin Street west of the square and West 2nd Street between Franklin and Liberty.
Quilt Show
Enjoy over 100 quilts from the Pella Area Quilt Guild. 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Wednesday – Saturday at the Pella Community Center. $5 for adults, children 12 and under free. Located on the second floor, 1 1/2 blocks south of the square. Enter on north side or use ramp and/or elevator at the southeast corner.
Other Activities:
27th Annual Klompen Classic 5K Run/Walk
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
6pm – Kids’ Classic Fun Run (ages 1-10) FREE
7pm – 5K $25 through May 5, $30 on race day
Dutch Demos
Program will feature:
- Dutch Delights – Learn about authentic foods from The Netherlands and enjoy free samples!
- Dress Like the Dutch – Audience members will model Dutch costumes and all will learn about the types of dress and provinces in The Netherlands.
- Meet the Burgemeister – The town’s honorary mayor shares stories about our three-day festival.
Programs take place at 10:00 am Thursday-Saturday. Taking place at the Memorial Building, cost is $5 per adult or $2 students (K-12).
de Kinderhoek (Kids Corner)
Young children will enjoy play, crafts and activities at the Northeast Corner of Central Park. Day pass wristband. Hours are noon- 8:00 pm Friday, 10:00 am- 6:00 pm Saturday.
Dutch Craft Market
Stroll through West Market Park and enjoy 100+ booths filled with a wide variety of shopping delights, open 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.
West Market Park Playground/Inflatable Rides
West Market Park is a large wooden playground that features swings, multiple slides, sand lot, suspension bridge, and more! Inflatables available 11:00 am – 7:00 pm Friday & Saturday; Fee applies for inflatables.
Fly–In Breakfast
Antique, classic, experimental and corporate aircraft on display. Breakfast served by Pella United Methodist Church. At the Pella Municipal Airport from 7:00 am- 10:00 am Saturday. $7 for adults, $5 for children.
Tractor Rodeo
Watch as drivers test their skills and abilities on antique tractors in an obstacle course, slow race, tractor balancing and more! West side of square on Broadway, 5:00 pm.