Previewing Tulip Time in Pella

Scheduling this year made it highly unlikely that Linda and I would get over to see the official Tulip Time festivities so we went over the night before and looked around at the flowers and decorations before they were subjected to the admiration and wear and tear of thousands. Conditions this spring had slowed the blooms just about perfectly for a colorful event; there was so much more color than at the "stemfest" last year when most of the petals had fallen away. A group of youngsters were practicing dancing in their wooden shoes in front of the grandstand providing background music and atmosphere. Unfortunately, the bakery had closed about thirty minuted before our arrival so we had to go without.