The up-and-down temperatures of the last several days apparently did -no- damage to the wide and colorful crop of tulips in Pella, which is hosting its annual Tulip Time Festival through tomorrow. Iris VanderWal, business office manager for the Pella Historical Society, says most of the flowers are in full bloom, right on time. The tiny Marion County community touts its Dutch heritage during the festival, which draws 100-thousand tourists over its three days. VanderWal says she’s never tried to count the number of tulips in town — but others have. City gardeners plant 90-thousand and when combined with city parks and private gardens, there’s around 200-thousand tulips. Yes, she says, plenty of folks in Pella do wear wooden shoes, but usually only during the festival — not for every-day walking. Events got underway at nine o’clock this morning, including tours of the town’s historical village and a quilt show at ten. There’s street scrubbing, street shows and parades starting at 2:30 this afternoon and at 8:30 tonight — with a repeat of the schedule tomorrow. For more information, surf to “www.pellatuliptime.com”.
