Celebration of 80th Annivesary of the Tulip Time Festival Parade

Celebration of 80th Annivesary of the Tulip Time Festival Parade
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Rachel_Madorsky]Rachel Madorsky

Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan is the official celebration of one of the largest Dutch ethnic events in the Midwest United States. Residents of Holland proudly celebrate their Dutch heritage with a famous American festival known as Tulip Time.

I decided to write this article after being inspired by a small unit of Veterans of Vietnam War that participated in the Meijer Muziekparade.

We were lucky to be in Holland, Michigan this year to participate in the celebration of eightieth anniversary of the Tulip Time Festival Parade with over 500,000 people in attendance. It was named "Best Small Town Festival" by Readers Digest, listed among the "Top 100 Events in North America" by ABA, and featured in the book Amazing Places to Go in North America.

This year, the first Tulip Time parade (Volksparade) was held on May 6, the second (Kinderparade) on May 7, and last (Muziekparade, which we visited) on May 9.

The idea to adopt the tulip as the official flower of Holland and celebrate it with a festival was born at one of the Woman's Literary Club meeting in 1927 following a suggestion by Miss Lida Rogers, a biology teacher at Holland High School. The next year, the City Council purchased 100,000 tulip bulbs from the Netherlands and planted them in city parks and other areas. In the spring of 1929, thousands of tulips bloomed, and the annual festival was born. In the mid 1930s, Tulip Time already was nationally known. Many famous names like Dorothy Lamour, Pat O'Brien, Christina Aguilera, Verve Pipe, Jars of Clay, and George Raft participated at the festival.

After World War II, Tulip Time continues to attract thousands of tourists every year. In 1947, the Netherlands showed appreciation to the Holland community, which provided aid to their country after the war. The people of Amsterdam presented to Holland a working street organ called "Car Frei Breda," which today entertains Windmill Island visitors. In that same year began a long tradition of a visit from the governor of Michigan, who leads the street scrubbing ceremonies.

Despite poor weather conditions, this year's Muziekparade started almost on time. I was amazed with the participation of numerous marching units - around 60. Even though Holland, Michigan is not a hugely populated community (population around 35,000 residents), the Meijer Muziekparade could be compared with parades of large cities from my point of view.

The parade was so well organized that it captured attention of bystanders sitting and staying along street. It was really a spectacular parade. Units represented numerous organizations, schools, bands, dancing clubs, wagons, small and large businesses, different clubs, or social groups. There were antique automobiles followed by horses, fire department, police, military academy, Michigan Air National Guard, Holland Hockey Association, United States Marine Corps band, and others. Tulips were displayed on most of the cars and trucks and carried in bouquets by participants.

Some of the parade participants included US Senator Carl Levin, US Representative Pete Hoekstra, State Senators Wayne Kuipers and Patricia Birkholz, and Secretary of State Terry Lynn Land, as well as other notables. Some of came from different states of the USA to participate in the Meijer Muziekparade, and all appeared honored to participate.

However, some of the most unforgettable participants who were hailed by the crowds may not even be known by name. While taking pictures, I heard from distance a loud applause - louder than any applause up to that time. Soon, I noticed a small group in military uniform. It was the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 73, presented by seven marching men and one in a wheelchair. The spectators showered them with enthusiastic applause.

Holland celebrates its Dutch heritage not only with the Tulip Festival, but also with over six million tulips as well. Also, in 1976 Holland received impressive publicity by participating in the Tournament of Roses Parade.

© Rachel Madorsky http://www.rachelmadorsky.com
Rachel Madorsky, an internationally published award-winning author of several books and a renowned authority on the bioEnergy healing and Energy Medicine.

She authored several books including, "Symphony of Your Karma," "Create Your Own Destiny," "Karma of Your Destiny," "Energy and Health of Man" and "Your Choice."

Her articles on a variety of topics have been published frequently and have received recognition among copious readers.

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