On the Road Again: Holland, Mich.

As the date drew closer for our recent Tulip Festival trip to Holland, Michigan, I became a little concerned that inclement weather would have us witnessing a "stem festival" instead of a tulip flower festival. However, I should not have worried.

Festival planners are pros! Over the years, organizers know to plant different varieties that continue the blooming rainbow throughout the season. At Nelis' Dutch Village, as well as Windmill Island Gardens, we were able to "tiptoe" through thousands and thousands of the beautiful flowers.

Located along Lake Michigan, Holland has a compact downtown surrounded by classic residential dwellings kept in pristine condition. A well-marked "Tulip Lane" tour allows visitors to see Holland in all its glory by car or on a tour bus. The festival planners provide tulips planted by machine along both sides of the streets on the extensive tour. Each homeowner is asked to choose a color for their tulips. These colors include shades of red, yellow, black, white, orange, and variegated. Varieties come in cup-shaped pedals, ragged edge, wide bell, narrow bell, very tall, and normal sized. There are perennials and annuals. We were told that bulbs ordered at the Dutch Village or online will be delivered in time to plant in the fall. We are all invited to their community "tulip dig" (digging up the thousands of bulbs by hand after the season ends), which is in July, but I'll be gone on another trip on that day....or my cat may need a bath, or something else.

An authentic Dutch windmill was purchased in the Netherlands and transported to Holland's Windmill Island Gardens. It has incredible machinery inside, operated by hand, that allows the whole top to rotate to take advantage of the wind direction. Windmills were used to benefit the whole community by grinding wheat and corn. Now, they supply the community with a destination for tourists.

One of the highlights of the trip was the entertainment provided by the group "Fiddlefire." Although started by their parents, the fiddle players, two brothers and a sister, have just taken over the bookings for their group, which now includes a drummer and guitarist, and they all play fiddles, the dulcimer, banjo, the piano, and more. The lead fiddle player, Luke, and his sister began their lessons at IU Bloomington and were classically trained. The little brother, fresh out of local Hope College, plays the bass fiddle. These young people are amazing, performing everything from Irish music to classical to bluegrass!

We didn't starve, either! Calvary Reformed Church provided delicious home cooking one evening! At Hope College, we joined the students at their new Phelps Dining Hall. Food in my college dining hall wasn't like this! Holland, MI, has some good cooks!!!

I did not bring home any wooden shoes. Those participating in the Festival Parade wore them, however. Street "scrubbers" of all ages literally cleaned the streets dressed in the traditional Dutch clothing just before the paraded started. This is a tradition lasting from the time horses left their mark on the streets. It was not exactly the Rose Parade, but an interesting mix of school bands, floats, tulips and all things Holland. The official festival band played "Tip-toe Through the Tulips," of course.

Come and join us at The Horizon Center for our Travel Show, which outlines the trips for 2018. It is free, but seating is limited, so call the Center at 317-398-0127 to reserve your spot for JULY 20, 2017, at 6:30 p.m.