Tulip Time

Though it may be hard to believe, I’ve lived in West Michigan my entire life yet have never been to the Holland Tulip Time Festival. Since it has been on my bucket list for over ten years, I decided it was finally time to tackle the goal.

Cherri and I, armed with a map and a Tulip Time schedule, had every intention of checking out various festival events. Once we arrived in Holland, however, we decided to detour to Windmill Island. Neither of us had ever been, and we thought it would prove interesting to six-year-old Sarah and Olivia who were tagging along.

It never ceases to amaze me at what I can find in my own backyard. Windmill Island is a municipal park filled with gardens, dikes, canals, replicas of historic Dutch buildings, wooden shoes and tulips.

Lots

and lots

and lots of beautiful tulips!

We almost learned the hard way that anyone caught holding one (even if it had been lying on the ground) is subjected to a $50 penalty. Fortunately Sarah was forewarned and not fined.

The island also is home to the 248-year-old DeZwaan (which means “the swan” or “graceful bird”). During our guided tour, we learned it is the only authentic Dutch working windmill in the United States. First erected near Amsterdam in 1761, it was purchased by the City of Holland in 1964 from a retired miller, and the last windmill allowed for sale by the Netherlands as these structures are now recognized as national landmarks. It was shipped to Muskegon and then brought by truck to its current location on Windmill Island. It took approximately six months to rebuild the 12-story structure. Yes, I was able to brave a climb to the top despite being privy to this last bit of info.

And the twins enjoyed not one, not two, not three but FOUR turns on the antique Dutch carousel. More than 100 years old, it was imported from the Netherlands in 1971. The animal figures are hand-painted, and a barrel organ produces music from paper albums which can be played for two hours without repetition.

Though we weren’t witness to any street scrubbing or Klompen dancing and didn’t partake of any authentic Dutch cuisine, our diversion to Windmill Island was a great introduction to Holland’s festival. As Olivia so profoundly noted, “I didn’t know Tulip Time was going to be so much fun!”

A return trip is definitely on the agenda for next year!