Dutch Fun for Everyone!
A view of the tulips from the 2012 Pella Tulip Time. (photo by Denis Currier)
by Marty Racheter
Everyone knows there will be three day and three night parades in Pella during Tulip Time, but there are lots of activities in addition to that which make it worth your while to come on over to Pella!
Thursday evenings, “The Freddy Gazzo Band” entertains at the Pella Opera House with an all-ages cabaret that will “put a smile on your face and a skip in your step.” That is followed by Feesthouden at the Tulip Toren. Come enjoy “The End,” a Beatles tribute band that will perform both before and after the evening parade, particularly those pieces that were recorded after the Beatles stopped touring.
“The Freddy Gazzo Band” entertains early Friday evening as well, and is followed at Feesthouden by “The Sons of Gladys Kravitz,” who specialize in the very best music of the last 40 years. They, too, will perform both before and after the evening parade.
The Central College Flying Pans Steel Drum Band performs twice on Saturday at the Pella Opera House, and that Feesthouden evening brings you “The Worship Team” from The Way in Newton.
The Dutchesses perform throughout the 3-day celebration, as do the Dutch Family Singers and the Pella High School Orchestra Strolling Strings. Davis Folkerts works his magic on the Barton Organ at the Opera House, which offers tours with the executive director.
There are daily Dutch Demos at the Pella Memorial Building on the west side of the square featuring Sweet Treats (Dutch chocolate and chocolate making, with free samples!), Dress Like the Dutch where participants can play dress-up, and Tip Toe Through Our Tulips with the Burgemeister strolling with you around Central Park to share tulip hints.
Of course there are always the Historical Village and Windmill tours, as well as City Tours and tours of the Scholte House, Firehouse, Vermeer Corporation, and Pella Rolscreen Depot museums. Kids Corner is on the NE corner of the square. West Market Park two blocks west of the square hosts The Dutch Craft Market with over 100 booths and the playground with inflatable rides. There is a fly-in breakfast/display at the Pella Airport. There is an interactive exhibit at the Pella Community Center, a quilt show at the Opera House, the Molengracht Market, the Dutch Masters Antique Auto Display, an Antique Implement Display, the Pella Garden Club Flower Show, and a tractor rodeo.
Come Wednesday evening to participate in the Klompen Classic, either running or walking. (This comes before Tulip Time because with all the things to do during Tulip Time, no one would have the energy afterwards!)
See? There really IS something for everyone, and we haven’t even mentioned FOOD!!
Times and places for all these events are readily available in the yellow Tulip Time brochure found in many area locations and at www.pellahistorical.org (Tulip Time, then Schedule in the menu bar at the top).
