About Us

Holland Tulip Time Festival, Inc, stages a world-class festival and popular events for area residents and visitors that showcase the community and the tulip and celebrate Dutch heritage and culture.

The idea of Tulip Time was introduced in 1927 at a Woman's Literary Club meeting. Miss Lida Rogers, a biology teacher at Holland High School, suggested that Holland adopt the tulip as its flower because of its close ties to the Netherlands, and set aside a day for a festival. She titled her talk that day "Civic Beauty" and spoke at length about the area's unique sand dunes, its fine trees, safe water supply, pure milk, and ample playgrounds. She advocated planting more trees, and because the Chamber of Commerce was seeking something appropriate, suggested planting tulips in every yard. She concluded with reading a poem, "Come Down to Holland in Tulip Time."

In 1928, City Council, under Mayor Ernest C. Brooks, appropriated funds to purchase 100,000 tulip bulbs from the Netherlands. These bulbs were to be planted in city parks and other areas. Initial plans called for a "Tulip Day." Bulbs were available to Holland residents at one cent a piece.

- Tulip Time is one of the largest flower festivals in the United States.
- The Netherlands is the tulip capital of the world.
- The tulip is a native Dutch flower.

The first two statements are true; the last one is not. Living among eight miles of tulip lanes, we in Holland USA, native or adopted Dutchmen, should have some information on why these beautiful flowers are such an important part of our heritage.