I don't know of anything that makes me think of spring more than flowers...
specifically, tulips...
and daffodils...
If you are ever in the Washington State area in the early Springtime, you should visit the yearly Skagit Valley Tulip Festival!
Not long after moving to the Seattle area from Florida, my husband and I started hearing about this fabulous festival of flowers in the Skagit Valley area of Washington State. The festival is a yearly event that began over 28 years ago.
The Tulip Festival was started by the Mt. Vernon Chamber of Commerce. The event is held between the 1st and 30th of April each year with the exact dates being planned as the blooming season advances. The festival date in April may vary from one year to the next because the tulips have their own time table and bloom when they are ready. Mother Nature cannot be rushed...
The beauty of the flowers truly transcends differences, and it brings a variety of cultures, ages, and diverse lifestyles to the area by the thousands to view these magnificent blooms of spring. Everyone speaks the same language when it comes to beautiful flowers!
The event is held in the farming community of Mt. Vernon, Washington, and the festivities bring a lot of business to the local farmers markets and shops in the area. Many farmers take advantage of the opportunity to sell some of their fresh produce when the crowds begin to come to the area. It is not unusual to see a farm truck on the side of the road selling beautiful, fresh vegetables or fruit.
Many visitors also visit some of the other nearby areas on their drive to the tulip festival. These restaurants and shops also benefit each year from the people who attend the festival. The Northwest area we live in is known for it's seafood and delicious Northwest cuisine.
(Anacortes, Washington not far from Mt. Vernon)
The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival also brings a lot of photographers to the area. It is a photographer's paradise!
Each year, you see photographers (amateur and professional alike) making photos of the fields. It is a great place to make family photos! I have also thought it would be a beautiful location for a photo shoot for a bride and groom! I am sure it has been done many times!
There is also a yearly poster that is made and sold for the festival. You can buy the beautifully designed poster in many of the local shops, at the festival or online. Each year, the poster is different...but all are beautiful and suitable for framing!
The first time my husband and I drove to the tulip festival, we were amazed at how magnificent the tulip blooms were! The vibrant colors were so pretty! Mother Nature really knows how to paint a beautiful picture! Just coming off the rainy season in the Northwest, many people wear their colorful rubber rain boots to the festival so that they may walk out in the dirt area near the blooms. The people in their colorful rain boots add to the beauty of the event.
When I first visited the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival and gazed upon the breathtaking tulip fields that seemed to go as far as they eye could see, a song and vision came to mind...not Tiptoe through the Tulips (smile)...but Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. I could picture her running through the tulips as she did in the poppies in the classic movie of my childhood. I could imagine the "Emerald City" in the background and could almost hear the song I love so well..."Somewhere Over the Rainbow"...
Did you know that Seattle is also called "the Emerald City?"
"Yes, somewhere over the rainbow, dreams really DO come true!" Wishing you a beautiful "bluebird" day! Whatever YOUR dreams are, may they ALL come true! xoxo Love, Kim
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Hi Kim, Wow those Tulips are amazing the colours are so vivid. I am very Blessed when it comes to flowers my daughter is a florist so she is always coming home with flowers for mum and Tulips are on the menu quite often, they are beautiful aren't they. Nothing better than roaming through open gardens or a field of flowers it's such a beautiful feeling. Thanks for the pictures they are amazing. Have a great day. Trish xox ;)
Posted by: Trish Rowley | Friday, March 11, 2011 at 01:46 AM
Hi Trish, So glad you enjoyed the Tulip Festival flowers! How exciting and fun to have a florist in your family! Sounds like she is a very sweet and caring daughter to think of her family with flowers. Nothing can compete with the beauty of Mother Nature! Have a wonderful day and weekend! Love, Kim
Posted by: Bluebirds and Butterflies | Friday, March 11, 2011 at 09:10 AM
What wonderful photos! And is that a photo of you and your hubby? You are very beautiful...and make a great couple! The flowers are amazing...acres of so many different colors! We love to go to the Biltmore in the Spring to see the tulips and azaleas. Enjoy your day!
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | Friday, March 11, 2011 at 12:26 PM
Happy Friday!
Thank you for the nice compliment on the photos. You try hard to capture the feeling of the festival with photos but to actually be there is just amazing! We are still having drizzle here in the Seattle area as spring approaches. I thought some spring festival flowers would brighten the day! I am hoping some readers have a chance to visit the festival sometime. I have always wanted to go to the Biltmore Estate and property. My son and his girlfriend had the opportunity to go there a few months ago and LOVED it! That is, indeed, my dear hubby and I. Thanks for the nice comments! Enjoy your weekend! xoxo Kim
Posted by: Bluebirds and Butterflies | Friday, March 11, 2011 at 01:36 PM
What a tour, thanks for taking us along! That's a great reason to visit what looks like a gorgeous state. Glad you stopped by, let's keep in touch!
Posted by: the paris apartment | Friday, March 11, 2011 at 06:15 PM
Thank you for joining me on the tulip tour! I do hope you come to the beautiful Seattle vicinity sometime. Thank for the nice comment. I could spend hours at your beautiful blog, The Paris Apartment! Just love your glamorous photos! Have a wonderful evening! xoxo Kim
Posted by: Bluebirds and Butterflies | Friday, March 11, 2011 at 07:35 PM