One of the sure signs of spring is the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Now in its 28th year, it runs from April 1-30, 2011. Although there are plenty of planned activities and events, the tulips and other flowers bloom according to their own schedules. A number of years ago, the festival incorporated a Bloom Map into its website, and it's an easy way to find out what's blooming and where. Check before you go.
With more than 1,000 acres of tulips, daffodils and iris grown annually, the location of the fields changes from year to year. When you look at the Bloom Map, colored field icons are lit as each field comes into bloom. They'll stay lit untiled the field is topped for the season. Tulips are red, daffodils are yellow and iris are blue.
The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, which is a month long, bears little resemblance to the inaugural three-day event in 1984. In addition to the fields of color, there are art shows, concerts and even tours of local shellfish and cheese operations. The Mount Vernon Street Fair and the Kiwanis Salmon Barbecue are both popular for locals and visitors alike. Plus, if you want to get physical, there's a Tulip Run and Tulip Pedal for runners and bikers. Here are some of the highlights:
- April 2 | Skagit County Historic Home Tour | 10-4
- April 2-24 | Kiwanis Club Salmon Barbecue | Mount Vernon | 11 AM-7 PM
- April 9 | Tulip Run | Skagit Regional Airport in Burlington | 9:30 AM
- April 9 | Not So Impromptu Tulip Parade | LaConner | 2 PM
- April 15-17 | Downtown Mount Vernon Street Fair | Mount Vernon | Open 10 AM Daily
- April 16 | Tulip Pedal | 20-40-60 Mile Routes | LaConner | 7-4
- April 16-30 | Friends of the Fish Art Show | Edison Eye Gallery | Edison
Tulip Festival via Kenmore Air: Take a flightseeing trip from Seattle's Lake Union to La Conner to enjoy the day amidst the blooms. Leaves Seattle at 11 AM and returns at 6 PM. Flight time is 20 minutes; fare is $50 one way. If you drive to the fields, take a flightseeing excursion, which leaves the La Conner City Dock Saturdays and Sundays from 12-6 PM. First come, first served, no reservations. $50 per person for a 15-minute flight (two-passenger minimum). All are window seats with views of the Skagit Valley tulip fields, La Conner, Swinomish Channel, Fidalgo Island and the Cascades. For more information, log onto Kenmore Air or call 866.435.9524.
Tiptoe Through the Tulips Hotel Package: Bellingham's Hotel Bellwether, located on Bellingham Bay, has put together this spring package for stays from April 1-30, 2011. It includes an Executive Water or Plaza Room; continental breakfast for two in the Harborside Bistro; picnic lunch for two; map of Skagit Valley tulip sites; garden themed in-room amenities. Rates start at $228 based on double occupancy.
Comments