The annual Pella Tulip Festival gets underway today without one key ingredient — the tulips. Warm weather caused the tulips to bloom early and the wind, rain and heat have knocked off their petals. Patsy Sadler is the director of the Historical Village in Pella. Sadler says the lack of the brightly colored flowers isn’t putting a black mood on the 65th annual celebration. Sadler says it’s been over two decades since the tulips took such a hit. She says some 100-thousand people are expected to visit during the festival. She says one of the big attractions is the street cleaning and parade that follows. The Tulip Festival runs today through Saturday in Pella.
