Tulip Festival Guide 2020

2020 SKAGIT VALLEY TULIP FESTIVAL

BURSTING INTO BLOOM Events, tips, maps & more to help you navigate the colorful tulips that attract thousands of visitors Supplement to the Skagit Valley Herald & the Anacortes American | March 2020 goskagit.com | 2020 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

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PRCWA.COM

FLOWERS HEAL ME. TULIPS MAKE ME HAPPY. ~

CONWAY/MT VERNON 18729 Fir Island Rd 360-445-6221

Vprc_conway_wa ARLINGTON 5200 172nd St 360-550-WEED

Vprc_arlington_wa NOW OPEN NEXT TO PRC ARLINGTON 2

goskagit.com | 2020 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

OPEN 8A-9P M-SA, 9A-7P SUN

It’s tulip time!v Welcome to the 37th annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

PhoTo CoNTEST! Visitors can participate in a Photo Contest, presented by North Coast Credit Union. Submit photos — one per week during April — and weekly finalists will be chosen. The winners in various categories will be revealed at the end of the festival. The winning photographers receive a signed 2020 poster and will have their photo published in the 190,000 copies of the festival brochure in 2021.

See rules and details in March at facebook.com/SkagitValleyTulipFestival and tulipfestival.org

The 37th annual Tulip Festival begins tomorrow with the Gala presented by Judd & Black Appliance and Peoples Bank.

“We are proud to welcome locals and visitors alike to the beautiful Skagit Valley,” festival president Cindy Verge said. “We hope you take the time to walk through a field of tulips, visit the gardens and perhaps take in an event or two.”

Each spring, the Skagit Valley welcomes over 350,000 tourists from all 50 states and countries all throughout the world to walk through hundreds of acres of colorful tulip blooms. In addition to the tulip fields, visitors enjoy a huge variety of activities for the whole family, spread throughout the region over the month of April. In 2019 people came from every Canadian province, all over the United States, and 83 countries around the world.

The mission of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is to coordinate and promote a countywide spring celebration of the tulip bloom, in commemoration of the valley’s annual tulip harvest, and to be an advocate for Skagit Valley agriculture. The Tulip Festival depends on hundreds of donated hours from students and other community members and sponsorship money from more than 200 local businesses and organizations. The festival has two dozen community volunteers from businesses and high school honor society students who collectively donate about 1,300 hours of their time. During the festival, the volunteers ensure the office can be open seven days a week, eight hours a day. Volunteers welcome customers in person and answer phone calls, help with the parade, deliver brochures and posters and so much more. Local media also plays a big role in getting the word out about the festival including Skagit Publishing that doubles as a sponsor.

“Our sponsors and volunteers have become even more important as the years have gone on. We really appreciate the volunteers and sponsors who have been with us for more than 20 years. It is nice to get the year-after-year support that lets us continue to put on the festival,” Verge said. goskagit.com | 2020 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

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Tulip Tips Avoid the crowds by planning a mid-week trip or arrive by 9 a.m.

Be sure to make a pit-stop at home or in town before heading out to the fields.

When traveling to the festival use Highway 20 and take exit 230 in Burlington. From there the side roads will provide easier access to the tulip fields with decreased traffic congestion compared to the main roads.

Park free at the two main gardens, RoozenGaarde (on Beaver Marsh Road) and Tulip Town (on Bradshaw Road).

The festival is a driving tour with events miles apart.

Pick up a brochure with a map or visit tulipfestival.org/ map; note that the map identifies locations but is not to scale.

Tulip fields are usually muddy. Wear rubber boots and clothes that you don’t mind getting wet/dirty. Bring garbage bags for dirty clothes and muddy boots and a change of clothes and footwear.

Pets are not allowed in the gardens or the fields. Drones are also prohibited.

Tulip crops rotate every year and blooming fields vary based on weather conditions. Before you go, check tulips.com/bloommap or call 360-428-5959 to make sure you are going to the fields with blooming flowers.

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goskagit.com | 2020 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

Take a tour

Plan ahead Check the weather forecast and bring boots, jackets and umbrellas — just in case.

And traffic can get heavy, so factor extra time into your adventure.

Check online The 2020 Tulip Festival will run from April 1-30. Check Tulipfestival.org for updates on blooms, a calendar of events, maps and places to stay, eat and shop.

Are you looking for a small group tour of the tulips led by a knowledgeable local guide? Bring your camera and enjoy a day centered around the glorious tulip fields without having to plan the whole trip on your own.

We recommend the following guided tour operators:

Shutter Tours

(425) 516-8838 www.shuttertours.com Relax in our comfortable tour bus with a top-rated tour company. See tulips and receive tips to improve your photography.

Photo stops include tulip fields and lunch in La Conner. Seattle hotel pickups available.

Nature Nuts Adventure Travel

(888) 365-9488 www.naturenutstravel.com Get Skip-the-Line access to the tulip fields, door-to-door service from Seattle, and complimentary local wine and artisanal cheese tasting for $100/person when you use Promo Code TULIP19. Private tours available too!

Skagit Guided Adventures

(360) 474-7479 www.skagitguidedadventures.com Relax, enjoy and learn about the tulip history, industry and festival by our expert friendly local guide. Tours run daily 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. from Mount Vernon’s Amtrak station. Free area hotel pickup. goskagit.com | 2020 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

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Traveling to the Tulips

By TRAIN

PARkING

Amtrak service runs to Mount Vernon. On arrival, be prepared to rent a car, call a taxi or work with one of our tour providers listed above to get to the tulip fields as there are no shuttles or tours from the train station.

Parking is available at designated lots in the tulip field area. The two display gardens, RoozenGaarde and Tulip Town, both have free parking adjacent to their facilities. Parking in official RoozenGaarde lots is $10 per car; the ticket you receive from the parking attendant will also admit one person to RoozenGaarde on the same day. Fees paid to private individuals will not work for admission to RoozenGaarde. Roadside parking is limited due to shoulder conditions and traffic safety regulations.

By CAR The tulip fields are located 60 miles north of Seattle along I-5 and 70 miles south of Vancouver, BC, Canada. The tulips are generally grown in a 15-mile triangle bordered

by Highway 20, the Skagit River, and the Swinomish River Channel.

Exit 230: From the north, use Highway 20 to enter the tulip area, off of Best Road.

Exit 221: From the south, use the Conway exit to drive west toward Best Road.

Exit 226: The busiest route is west through Mount Vernon.

Exit: The quickest route back to I-5 is Highway 20.

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goskagit.com | 2020 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

By BUS Monday through Saturday Skagit Transit Route 615 operates along McLean Rd. If you take this bus, make sure to get on and off at Beaver Marsh Road as this is the closest stop to the tulip fields and gardens.

Note that you will still be walking a distance to reach your destination.

By BICyCLE Most tulip fields, events, attractions and display gardens can be accessed easily by cycle but be prepared for the weather, bike defensively and watch for changing road conditions. Tulip Country Bike Tours (360-424-7461 or countrycycling.com) offers bike rentals on a limited basis. Their rentals include a map, self-guided tour route and staff recommendations for lunch and other stops. In addition, visitors with their own cycles can join the guided tours at a discounted rate.

By hELICoPTER Operating out of Gordon Farms at 15598 McLean Road. Atomic Helicopters (206-762-3245 or atomichelicopters.com) will be operating helicopter flights over Skagit Valley to see Mount Vernon’s famous tulips from up above.

1993993

is proud to present

2020 Tulip Festival Photo Contest 2019 Winner

We invite you to submit your tulip photos starting

March 25th

You could be the next winner!

for the chance to win:

• Weekly Cash Prizes • Grand Cash Prize

Submit your photos on goskagit.com/tulips goskagit.com | 2020 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

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A tulip timeline 1994

1980s

STEPPING oUT oN ITS oWN

IT BEGINS In the early ’80s, then-Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce directors Jerry Digerness and Joan Houchen recognized that thousands of people were coming to visit the tulips of Skagit Valley. They decided to form the official Tulip Festival and created a weekend of events and festivities

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival was officially inaugurated by the chamber in 1984 and was run through that office until 1994 when the festival became its own entity. In 2002, separation from the chamber was completed when the organization moved to its own offices.

www.LoveLaConner.com www.LaConnerChamber.com

www.lovelaconner.com .lovelac 413 Morris St. • 360.466.4778

Bring in this ad to the Visitor Center & Receive a COMPLIMENTARY COUPON BOOK While supplies last.

1987940

Imagine Spring in La Conner

Gifts • Furniture • Salad Bowls Jewelry Boxes • Wood Carvings Cutting Boards • Custom Designs Available

709 South 1st Street • La Conner, WA 98257 • info@woodmerchant.com woodmerchant.com • facebook.com/woodmerchant 8

goskagit.com | 2020 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

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For over 35 years offering the Northwest’s best selection of fine 100% American-made woodcrafts.

Experience the timeless beauty of art, history, earth and water.

Small town hospitality awaits you.

2020 2003

GRoWS To 30 dAyS Over the decades the festival has grown in length.

The event began as a threeday weekend; jumped to 10 days, then 17 and has been a full 30 days since 2003.

With the unpredictability of the weather, the full 30 days means that the tulips have a greater chance of blooming during the festival.

A Country Getaway

Cindy Verge has been working for the Tulip Festival since 1999 and has been its executive director since 2003; she

has a BA in Communications from the University of Washington. In addition, Cindy has earned the title “Certified Festival and Event Executive” from the International Festival & Events Association.

Verge works with a 20-person volunteer board of directors (including voting members and advisory positions) who govern the festival and provide support for festivaloperated events.

SKAGIT COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM Preserving and Presenting Skagit History “at the Top of the Hill”

Make a Reservation (360) 466-2444

1984893

www.PleasantRidgeBB.com 14022 Dodge Valley Road Mount Vernon, WA 98273

$5 Adults $4 Seniors and Children 6 – 12 Under 6 free $10 Families Historical Society Members Free!

www.skagitcounty.net/museum

1983101

501 S. 4th Street, La Conner Open Tuesday-Sunday 11-4 360.466.3365

1987961

goskagit.com | 2020 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

www.LoveLaConner.com • www.LaConnerChamber.com

Today the festival boasts an assortment of events: art shows, gala celebrations, concerts and tours. There are also activities associated with the festival as well — a run, 20- 40- and 60-mile bike rides, and a youth basketball tournament.

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Social media creates buzz welcome new sponsors, share information about events in the Skagit Valley, and keep festival enthusiasts informed about the flower fields.

While the colorful fields attract thousands of creative Instagrammers — #skagittulipfestival — the festival itself relies on social media.

The Tulip Festival Facebook page (facebook.com/SkagitValleyTulipFestival) is vital to the festival’s ongoing success.

“Facebook remains a very popular way for people to learn about the Tulip Festival,” festival president Cindy Verge said. “It’s a great place to get information out during the festival.”

455 likes

Facebook exposure continues to grow, with 70,000 followers as of this year. The page is used throughout the year to

Skagit Publishing supports the Tulip Festival by hosting and maintaining the festival’s official website, tulipfestival. org. Activity on the website remains strong, with an average of almost 450,000 unique visitors generating more than 1.5 million page views each year.

During the month of April, the site is the busiest in Skagit County. Site visitors can shop for merchandise and find details about events. They will also find an interactive map, updated pictures and events,

www.LoveLaConner.com • www.LaConnerChamber.com • www.LoveLaConner.com

Come Back to La Conner

May Opening Day of Boating Parade June Museum of Northwest Art Auction July Hometown 4th of July Celebration August Annual Classic Boat & Car Show Pioneer Picnic

October Festival of Family Farms Brew on the Slough November Art’s Alive!

December Annual Tree Lighting Light Boat Parade

Vintage La Conner

AVery Good Place to Shop for Bar Bargains

301 Morris St. La Conner Tue. ue. - Sun. 11-5 (360) 466-4017 www.Facebook.com/VintageLaConner .Facebook.com/VintageLaConner 10

1993483

goskagit.com | 2020 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

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A nonprofit unusual thrift & consignment department store run by Soroptimists of La Conner.

Bargain prices & a very pleasant atmosphere create a satisfying shopping experience.

daily updates on blooms, changes to hours for tulip fields and travel tips – all in a mobile friendly format. The map has points linking users to locations, hours, and websites of some of the event’s sponsors.

“Each year features new and traditional activities; there will be more than 40 Tulip Festival sanctioned events and activities in 2020,” Verge said. “We’re bringing back the Hero/Princess party as it was such a hit last year. The Chili Feed is returning, along with the Anacortes Spring Wine Festival and the Beaks, Noses, and Bills 4-H Club Petting Farm.”

Events (see Pages 16-17) are spread throughout the valley in cities from SedroWoolley to Anacortes, Mount Vernon, Burlington and La Conner. Many events are fundraisers for local charities including the Kiwanis Salmon Barbecue (11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily April 4-26 at Mount Vernon’s Hillcrest Lodge). Visit the events page on tulipfestival.org for a complete list of new and classic events.

Be sure to visit Christianson’s Nursery, Schuh Farms and tulip growers RoozenGaarde and Tulip Town (new owners!). You will be able to order bulbs, buy cut flowers and mementos, eat, take photos and much more.

www.LoveLaConner.com www.LaConnerChamber.com

La Conner Channel Lodge

La Conner Country Inn

• La Conner’s Waterfront Property • Jacuzzi Tubs • Gas Fireplaces • Wine Tasting • Continental Breakfast • Event Spaces • Live Piano Music Friday & Saturdays

• Continental Breakfast • Gas Fireplaces • Oyster & Thistle Restaurant • Afternoon Cookies, Coffee & Tea • Select Dog Friendly Rooms • Event Spaces

360.466.1500 • laconnerlodging.com

Imagine Spring in La Conner

Known both as an artists’ enclave and a boater’s paradise, with a decidedly coastal-community feel, La Conner has an almost magical quality that brings visitors back again and again.

1987958

goskagit.com | 2020 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

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More than just flowers Annual festival is a boon to entire Skagit Valley economy The Tulip Festival draws an average of 350,000 tourists to the Skagit Valley over the month of April, providing a huge bump to Skagit County’s tourism industry each year.

About 75 percent of festival visitors come on day or overnight trips from out of the area in groups of about three, which means increased revenue for local restaurants, lodging and shops.

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goskagit.com | 2020 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

“The agricultural economic engine cranks up in April with the beautiful tulips opening to welcome the Spring planting season in Skagit County,” County Commissioner Ken Dahlstedt said. “Thousands of visitors bring millions of dollars to our community. Our city partners, restaurants, hotels, and service providers benefit from this beautiful and bountiful welcome to Skagit County by our inspiring Tulip Festival.”

35th

In order to assess the economic impact that the Tulip Festival has on the businesses in Skagit County, festival officials contracted with the International Festival and Events Association to conduct a study of the 2012 festival. These results combined with yearly sales tax revenue indicate a sizeable economic boost to the county over the month of April.

10K Run

Saturday, April 11

The main takeaway is that 84% of surveyed respondents reported that the Tulip Festival was the primary reason for their trip to Skagit County in April. Each year the sales tax collected over the month of April increases dramatically from other months in the year. The same holds true for lodging tax revenues that show a substantial increase from March to April each year.

“Across Washington, whenever someone sees a picture of a tulip field, they think of Skagit County,” County Commissioner Ron Wesen said. “This popular event is a huge economic driver for our community, and I appreciate all the work our volunteers do to help make the Tulip Festival a success and flagship event year after year.”

Tulip “season” is just one of the many natural beauties we have in Skagit Valley.

Ready to move here and experience it year round?

Cross promotion is common as local businesses and organizations use the festival’s draw to attract people to their events. Local charitable organizations also greatly benefit from their ties to the Tulip Festival.

The best part is that this is all money that gets re-invested right back into the community in the form of scholarships and funding for important local organizations such as Friendship House, Boys & Girls Clubs, the YMCA and literacy programs, officials said.

Scoops o f fun !

Windermere Real Estate/Skagit Valley 1030 E. College Way, Mount Vernon (360)424-4901 WindermereSkagit.com Windermere Real Estate/Anacortes Properties 3018 Commercial Avenue, Anacortes (360)293-8008 AnacortesRealEstate.com Windermere Real Estate/North Cascades 520 Cook Road, Sedro-Woolley (360)856-4901 WindermereSedroWoolley.com 1991773

Charities such as the Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon that hosts an annual Salmon Barbeque and the LaConner Rotary Club that sells tulips during the festival raise impressive amounts of money each year.

Research by board member Alice Collingwood found that non-profits collectively raised about $200,000 more than during the 2017 festival.

We’re here to help.

1994069

open daily until 9pm

DOWNTOWN MT. VERNON skagitfoodcoop.com goskagit.com | 2020 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

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DOWNTOWN DOWNTOWN MOUNT VERNON

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goskagit.com | 2020 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

Welcome

to the 36th Annual Downtown Mount Vernon Tulip Festival Street Fair!

W

e are glad for you to join us for this wonderful annual event celebrating art, food, music, and of course - tulips! A half-mile of South First Street and the side streets of downtown Mount Vernon are lined with over 150 artisans, 13 food vendors, and a variety of live entertainment. Discover handcrafted goods to share with family and friends. Our artists hail from across the United States and British Columbia, with many long-time favorites returning, as well as more than 20 new offerings.

Satisfy your taste for culinary adventure at the 13 mobile food vendors and trucks scattered throughout downtown. Enjoy live entertainment daily at the Rick Epting Memorial Stage in Pine Square.

Families with young children will enjoy a variety of vendors offering unique kid-friendly offerings and fun experiences. Jules the Juggler, Uncle Stinky’s Magic, and Wapo the Clown are on hand all weekend. Be sure and check out the booths of the generous sponsors who help make this wonderful event happen, and visit our nonprofit organization guests and learn about the amazing work they do to improve the lives of so many in our community.

The Downtown Mount Vernon Tulip Festival Street Fair serves to do more than attract thousands of visitors to our Main Street district to welcome spring. The Street Fair is the primary

fundraiser for the Mount Vernon Downtown Association (MVDA). The mission of the MVDA is to cultivate a vibrant and prosperous downtown while honoring our historic character, to preserve and grow the place where community connection happens.

Check out the other events and programs we offer in support of our downtown businesses by following us on Facebook and Instagram and visiting our website www.mountvernondowntown.org.

Thank you for visiting the Tulip Festival Street Fair and Downtown Mount Vernon!

Ellen Gamson Executive Director Mount Vernon Downtown Association

2020 Tulip Festival Street Fair Sponsors Presenting Sponsor

C A S I N O • R E S O R T

C A S I N O

R E S O R T

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VENDORS

3d Wood Maps 154, 156 A Light Heist 72 Absolutely Nuts! P2 Active Life Force 9 Mount Vernon Tri-Dee Skagit Valley Aletheia Creations 76 Arts BO Food Co-Op Downtown Association O T HS Alex Arts & Construction 31 2020 Tulip Festival 1 16 Amiyah’s Treasures 151 Street Fair Anderson Glass 35 Arts & Crafts Vendors Apple Cox Design 135 Art By Dakota Dean 125 BOO B. Fuller’s Mortar & Pestle 7 THS Barn Cat Creations 103 Lyon’s 17-4 3 Furniture Baroness Ashley Hats 139 Bayside Treasures 140, 142, 144 Beach Combers Artwork 95 Strauss Bear Art Studios 70 Jewelry Beautiful Facepaint 127 Calico BOO Beckman Design 10 THS Creations Big Moon Beeswax Handcrafted 44-6 0 Candles 80 Ristretto Blackwaters Metal 107, 109 CEN Coffee Lounge TRA Bonsai Akira 42 L FO Bottleworks451 147, 149 OD C OUR Calcifer Glass 29 T Cascadia Stoneware 114 Chippy Cottage 92 BOO Chris Stiles Art 119 T Chris’s Country Essence 79 61-8 HS 7 Cordially Sweet Candle Co. 49 Draft Pics Craig Goodwin Photography 117 Sports Bar Creative Development 13 Per Dona Creature Comfort 36 Salon Critter Creations 75 BOO Decker Jewelry 47 88-1THS 14 RICK EPTING KEY Designs by Jan Lough 83 MEMORIAL Designs by Lisa 65 Food Restrooms ENTERTAINMENT Designs By Meg 18 STAGE Vendors P1 Desi Hangover 150 First Aid Easton’s BOO Differently Awesome THS P2 P6 Books 11 FOOD VENDORS Publishing 108 5-13 Forte 5 Chocolates A Irishman Enterprises North Dog and Pup Studios 44 Lincoln B Ma and Pa Kettle Corn Doug’s Puzzles 51 Theatre MVDA Elegant Garden Design 48, 50 C Samijon’s Info Booth Skagit Running elSage Designs 52 Donut Seed Co. Company Embroidery by Wanda 97, 99 D Cheese Pit Emian Arts 24 Dutch Dame Fat Dragonfly Collection 38 Taste of India Bank of For the Love of Pasta 14 America Taco Bahia Forest Life Creations 8 E You Found Us! Concessions Fox Island Trading Co. 122 BOOTHS Linda’s Concessions Freeborn Metal Art 17, 19 136-158 Zieglers Bratwurst Haus/ Friday Harbor House Of Jerky 88 Red Apple Bumpus Burgers Garlic Gourmay 146 Grams Gourds 15 F Shiskaberry’s Gustoblende 28 G Irishman Enterprises South Hair Claws 3 Hangloose Hammock Company 87 Liam Besaw 120 Jeanne’s Designs 45 McCrain Photography 25, 27 Hardmill 132 Jessica Heide Illustrations 143 Lilie De Vallee 43 Metal Art 115 Healing Stone Foundry 148 LiviJoy Hoops 116 Kali Basi Designs 39 Michael S. Kenney 81 Henna Me Pretty 57 MA Graphics 32 Kambalamba Slimes 66 miniTurns 54 Ia’s Garden 136, 137 Mad Mozaics 158 Kara’s Creations 58 Monika’s Design 33 It’s So Easel 1, 2 Madrugada Pottery 6 Karmela Botanica 55 Ms. 4 Jaxs Hats 121 Mandy Allen Metal Arts 77 Le Gourmet Girl 94 Muffet Designs Postage Stamp Jayne Morgan 26 Art 41 Mary D’s Scarves and More 67 Let’s Do Lavender 153, 155

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Mustard and Co. 100 Nectar of the Vine P1 Normiehead 69, 71 Northwest Sparks 102 NuTrisha’s and Rockin’ Risotto 82 One Heron Pond Studio 123 Oregon Jewelry 106 Over the Line Art 129 Paperwings Studio 93 Peace of the Earth Jewelry 73 Pete’s Perfect Toffee 152 Petstuff! 34 Philip Eidenberg-Noppe Photography 84 Photo Cards by Susan Greenwood 20, 21, 22 Pietka Photography 59 PupCakes 53 Rachel Rothberg 113 Red Door Art Studio 74 Renee Newstrum 105 Riley’s Spice of Life 46 Rocky Barrick 90 Scentual Nature 16 Sequim Bee Farm 96 Shelly Corbett Designs 56 Shoestring Wood 5 Sibbett Studio 110, 112 Silentgoddess Art Jewelry 111 Simplistic Designs 98 Softoys 62 SteamPunkJunq 101 Stem Vases 138 Stoll and Heart 141 Stramora Studio 40 Studio Ken 30 Stuff Boxes 78 SuStudio Jewelry 124 Sweater Heads 11 Tamarack Mountain Design 85 The Red Penguin 157 The Waisted Belt Co. 86 Tin Can Alchemy 23 Tori Tornado 104 Trilby’s BBQ Sauce & Spices 89 Twisted Sisters Studio 133, 134 Uncle Stinky’s Magic 126 Washington Rocks 130, 131 Whidbey Island Fudge Co. 91 Wild Thistle Jewelry 63 Xtra Special Cakes 68 SPONSORS

Alaska USA Federal Credit Union 37 Angel of the Winds Casino Resort 64 Haggen Food & Pharmacy P6 IRG Physical Therapy 128 Leaf Filters Northwest 12 Skagit Valley Herald 118 Swinomish Casino & Lodge 61 T-Mobile GATES The Skagit Casino Resort 60

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UP & COMING MUSICIANS AND PERFORMERS TAKE OVER THE STREET FAIR EVENT STAGE ALL WEEKEND!

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Something for everyone here are a few of the dozens of events planned this year. See the full list of events at tulipfestival.org Tulip days Basketball Tournament March 27-29

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The Tulip Days Basketball Tournament (March 27-29) will consist of 100+ boys and girls teams in the 4th-8th grades from all across the Pacific Northwest. Each team receives a ‘Survival Kit’ and a commemorative basketball. All teams play on Sunday. For more information call 360-4161350. $285.00 per team with a four-game guarantee. Daily admission for spectators. Location: Various gyms throughout Skagit County.

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Skagit Farm to Pint Festival April 4

This festival — part of Skagit Beer Week from March 27 to April 5 — featurs local food and craft beer from Skagit Valley malt in all 14 Skagit Valley breweries. Tickets include a commemorative glass, beer, food pairings and live music by three Skagit Valley bands. Proceeds support Viva Farms. Tickets: $25$75 at skagitbeerweek.com.

Heritage Flight Museum, 15053 Crosswind Dr., Burlington.

WSU Master Gardener Step-on Guides April

Sponsored by WSU Skagit County Master Gardeners, the Tulip Festival Step-On Guides and Garden Tours operate throughout April.

Trained volunteer guides step aboard your coach, shuttle or van and act as a guide and navigator through the tulip fields. Guides meet your group at the eight-acre MG Discovery Garden in Mount Vernon where they provide a complimentary tour along with beverages and refreshments. After the tour, the group heads to the tulip fields; stopping at Tulip Town and RoozenGaarde public gardens. This is approximately a threehour event with most groups lunching in between gardens by attending the Kiwanis Salmon Barbecue or other places for food stopovers.

WSU Master Gardeners has been operating these tours for 25 years. Fees are $100 per coach bus, $50 for a shuttle bus, and $25 for a van. All money raised from the tours support the maintenance of the Discovery Garden. Projects include improving trails, new plants, maintaining fountains, garden plots, green houses and children’s play areas. Note that fees do not include entrance fees to RoozenGaarde and Tulip Town gardens.

The Master Gardeners mission is to work in partnership with WSU Extension to educate the public and enhance the quality of life in the community by promoting sound gardening practices. Learn more about the agriculture and history of the Skagit Valley with our WSU Skagit County Master Gardeners as your guide.

To reserve, contact us at tonitulip@comcast.net.

35th Annual Tulip Run April 11

Not So Impromptu Tulip Parade April 11

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival’s premier running event takes participants on a scenic 2-mile or 10K course along flat, gravel-packed trails. It’s an experience the whole family will enjoy. Free to 10 and younger and free to 70 and older. Ages 1114: $10 or $20 with shirt. Otherwise: $20 or $30 with shirt. Info and registration at tuliprun.com or call 360-540-4399. The event starts at Skagit Regional Airport; Burlington.

All are welcome at the 34th Annual Kiwanis Club of La Conner Not So Impromptu Tulip Parade at 2 p.m.

April 11. Join in the fun as a spectator or participant.

No entry is too small; wacky impromptu entries welcome.

Line up for the parade in the Port of Skagit complex.

Entry forms available at tulipfestival.org or at Washington Federal Bank’s Skagit Valley locations. Day of parade entries welcome.

See more events on the next page u

COME FOR THE TULIPS. STAY FOR THE FLOWER.

14637 STATE ROUTE 20 MOUNT VERNON | 360-588-2250

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Tulip Charm hero/ Princess Parties April 25

The Tulip Charm Hero Party will feature All American Captain by Enchanting Events. Children will get to do a “laser” maze and other activities. The Tulip Charm Princess Party will feature the Ice Queen by Enchanting Events. Children will be read a story and do activities.

Children will enjoy meeting and taking pictures with the characters, have a special tulip cookie and juice, get an autographed photo and a certificate of completion.

Parents must stay during the event, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. April 25; free entry and coffee provided. Tickets: $15 each child. Purchase tickets at eventbrite.com. Location: The Outlet Shoppes at Burlington, Children’s Museum of Skagit County.

39th Annual Tulip Pedal April 18

English Tea at Willowbrook Manor April 25

Saturday, April 25, 2020 9am - 4pm Sunday, April 26, 2020 10am - 3pm Sedro-Woolley High School 1235 3rd St, Sedro-Woolley Perkins Farms (Saturday only) 8243 Sims Rd, Sedro-Woolley

Reserve your seat for an English Tea at our elegant Manor House, including a tour of the grounds and art exhibit. For more information, visit teaandtour.com. The tea takes place 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 25 at 27421 Minkler Rd., Sedro-Woolley.

Schuh Farms

Willowbrook Manor (Saturday only) 27420 Minkler Rd, Sedro-Woolley

Family owned & operated for 57 years.

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Visit www.sedro-woolley.com for more information

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Ride on your own on 20-, 40- and 60-mile routes, or ride all three. Pre-registration: $35. Day of: $40.

Kids 14 and younger are free. For more info, call 360-708-2454 or visit thetulippedal.com. Register at active.com. The event starts at La Conner Middle School; 503 N 6th; La Conner.

goskagit.com | 2020 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

Open Daily 9-6 April – December Always - Espresso, Ice Cream & Milkshakes, Homemade Pie, Cinnamon Rolls, Cookies, Cheese, Jam, Pickles, Gourmet Foods, cider, fresh flower bouquets Spring - Cut Tulips, Tulip Merchandise, Garden Gifts, Plants, Flowering Baskets, Rhubarb, Asparagus Summer - U-Pick/We-Pick Berries, Garden Produce, Pickling Cucumbers, Sweet Corn, Cherries, Apricots, Nectarines, Peaches, Melons, Tomatoes, Flower Bouquets Fall - Pumpkin Harvest & Family Fun! Local Cider, Apples, Sweet Corn, Winter Squash, Fall Decorations Winter - Trees (we flock), Wreaths, Garland, Holly, Ornaments & Nuts

15565 SR 536, Mount Vernon (360) 424-6982

kiwanis Salmon Barbecue Daily, April 4-26

SKAGIT COUNTY

FAIRGROUNDS

Try some wild salmon barbecued over alder, with a side of baked potato, slaw, garlic bread, & ice cream.

Two serving sizes cost $14 or $17 inside the heated Hillcrest Lodge off I-5 Exit 225 or 226, head east and follow signs to 1717 S 13th St, Mount Vernon. For more information, visit kiwanisbbq.com.

28TH ANNUAL

SPRING

GARAGE SALE ANTIQUES & MORE OVER 160 VENDORS, FOOD AND LIVE MUSIC FRI APRIL 10TH 9AM-4PM SAT APRIL 11TH 9AM-4PM

skagitcounty.net/garagesale 360.416.1350 aricg@co.skagit.wa.us

Tulip Festival Street Fair April 17-19

The 36th annual street fair is the largest event during the monthlong Tulip Festival, and is the primary fundraiser for the nonprofit Mount Vernon Downtown Association, a nationally accredited Main Street working toward the economic revitalization of our historic downtown business district.

Since its inception, the street fair has grown from a few tables on the sidewalks to its current size of nearly half a mile of artisan vendors, food concessions, non-profit group displays and live entertainment for all ages. There will be more than 140 artisans specializing in multiple mediums. Location: First Street in downtown Mount Vernon.

An enticing selection of common and uncommon plants Vintage Home & Garden Gifts

1994310

ADMISSION $3 ON SITE PARKING $3

Tulips wilt eventually.

Keepsakes last a lifetime. Marble coasters with local maps and charts, concrete garden art, buddhas, gnomes, crows, frogs and so much more.

Mon - Sat 9:30-5:30, Sun 11-4 (360) 424-8455 www.nwff.com 919 Riverside Drive, Mount Vernon

ChristiansonsNursery.com • Open Daily

15806 Best Road • Mount Vernon • 360-466-3821 gifts and antiques

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goskagit.com | 2020 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

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5 Mi. North 7

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Bellingham 19mi. 16

6

Sims Rd

33 20

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Pets aren’t allowed in the gardens.

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Fairgrounds Book Sale

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6 Outer Island Excursions 7 Taylor Shellfi sh Farms PUBLISHING 8 South ForkSKAGIT Farms Puget Sound Refinery 9 Eagle Haven Winery/ WoodFest Peoples Bank /Judd & Black 9 English Tea/ Appliance Gala Dinner Willowbrook Manor Swinomish Casino & Lodge 10 Scrapbook & Children’s Museum Craft Supply Sale Princess/Hero Party 10 Kid’s Giant Garage Sale The Outlet Shoppes at 11 Downtown Mount Vernon Burlington Street Fair WoodFest Weekend 11 Forte Chocolates Kiwanis Salmon BBQ 11 Lincoln Theatre Seattle Premium Outlets 11 Garage Sale, Antiques Anacortes Brewery & More Anacortes Quilt Walk 11 Valley Shine Distillery Anacortes Spring Wine 11 SICBA Home Festival & Garden Show Anacortes Vintage Market

★ Festival Office ★ RoozenGaarde ★ Tulip Town 1 1 2 2 2 3 4 5 B 6 6 6 22

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11 12 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 14 15 16 17

Tulalip 25 Miles

SEATTLE 60 Miles

Skagit River Brewery FI Quilters Quilt Show WaFd Bank Tulip Parade La Conner Sculpture Tour La Conner Brewing Co. La Conner Sips Pacific NW Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum Skagit County Historical Museum Skagit Cellars KeyBank Tulip Ambassador Event Skagit Crest Winery San Juan Cruises Pasek Cellars Winery Warren Jewelers Chuckanut Brewery Tulip Run

Starbird Rd

17 Heritage Flight Museum 17 King Arthur Flour Baking School 17 Skagit Farm to Pint Festival 17 Spotlight on Skagit 17 Chuckanut Brewery 18 Bethany Covenant Spring Concert 19 Skagit Valley Gardens 20 Padilla Bay Estuarine Reserve 21 The Skagit Casino Resort 22 PACCAR Open House 23 Christianson’s Nursery 23 Art of the Schoolhouse 24 Rexville Grange Art Show 24 The Rex 25 Sauk Mountain Pottery 26 Schuh Farms

26 27 28 29 30 31 31 32 33 34 35 36 37

Art in a Pickle Barn 4-H Club Petting Farm Skagit’s Own Fish Market Snow Goose Produce WSU Discovery Garden Farmstrong Brewery Skagit Chili & Chowder Cook-off Tulip Valley Winery Fidalgo Bay Coffee Roasters Fireweed Terrace Restaurant/ Eaglemont Golf Course/Viewpoint 18-hole Disc Golf Course Azusa Farm and Gardens Atomic Helicopters

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LOVING FARMS

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Come experience our world renown display garden this spring!

Featuring spectacular floral designs, bright rivers of blue muscari, and the most brilliant of colors. This year’s design features over 175 different flower varieties and more than ½ million blooms!

Freshly picked tulip bunches are always a treat. By 4 bunches and get the 5th for free!

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There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Should not be used by women that are There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Should not be used by women that are preg nantor orbreast breastfeeding. feedingFor . Foruse useonly onlyby byadults adultstwenty-one twenty-oneand andolder. older.Keep Keepout outof ofreach reachof ofchildren. children.Marijuana Marijuana pregnant c an impair oncentration, coordination, coordination, and and judgment. judgment. Do not or machinery machineryunder underthe theinfluence influence can impair cconcentration, not operate operate a vehicle vehicle or of products may be be purchased purchased or of this this drug. drug. Marijuana Marijuana produc ts may or possessed possessedonly onlyby bypersons persons21 21years yearsof ofage ageor orolder.” older.”

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‘Explosion of color’ Official 2020 Tulip Festival poster likens flowers to fireworks Each year a committee of community volunteers selects a local artist to create an official poster, which is unique to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.

The artist is announced in November at the official poster unveiling celebration at Skagit Valley Gardens. Sponsored by Heritage Bank, the event is the first opportunity to see the new poster and products for the upcoming Tulip Festival.

Local artists submit their applications and the winner is free to 24

goskagit.com | 2020 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

MEET ThE ARTIST Kevin Hartman of Weststar Solutions worked with Jennifer Bowman to transform her painting into the Tulip Festival poster. Hartman will also be designing official apparel and many other products using the poster art.

Jennifer can be found during weekend afternoons at the festival painting the 300-foot mural at Tulip Town.

Jennifer will sign your poster at Tulip Town and RoozenGaarde gift shops on April 3, 10, 17 and 24.

Tulip Town hours are from 10 a.m. to noon; RoozenGaarde hours are from 2-4 p.m.

An

y th ar 25 rs

ni 25 ve th rs ar

ive

n

An choose their medium and style in a way that will interpret their vision of the festival and the tulips of Skagit Valley.

G A L L E R Y AT THE FRAMEMAKER

FINE ART & CUSTOM FRAMING

Anacortes native Jennifer Bowman was selected to create the 2020 official poster. Jennifer was first associated with the Tulip Festival in 2004 as the poster artist when she created a watercolor quilt of the two valley tulip growers and three cities involved in the spring celebration.

“I combined elements that people have liked in prior posters to create a painting that looks like a beautiful explosion of color,” she said.

“Someone at the unveiling called it ‘a firework display of color’ so, I guess I was successful.

“I had access to all the bouquets out at Tulip Town after it closed for the season last year. I gathered up an arm load and proceeded to make a couple of arrangements and took reference photos,” Bowman continued. “I was happy with how it turned out and hope everyone will enjoy it as much as myself.”

The poster will also be available at the Tulip Festival Office, 311 W. Kincaid St., Mount Vernon.

Visit jenniferbowman.com for more information about the artist.

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She had some minor input in the creation of the festival art for the next 15 years where she sold festival product at Tulip Town’s Art and Kite shop. Jennifer is a third-generation artist and a winner of the coveted Skagit Valley Tulip, Edmonds Arts and the Anacortes Arts Festival posters. She designed Washington State’s new Heritage Birth Certificate and has worked with Eddie Bauer on a Catalog cover. Her work can be found in 185 galleries in both private and corporate collections locally and internationally, including France, Turkey, Japan and the Netherlands.

y

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Leading the way Elementary students picked as 2020 Tulip Ambassadors Immaculate Conception Regional School fifth-grader Cadence Natoli and Harriet Rowley Elementary School fourth-grader George Windler are the 37th annual Key Bank Tulip Ambassadors.

ecutive Director Cindy Verge and her team make presentations to 700 plus children at local elementary schools in the second half of January to encourage children to audition.

This year’s competition was held at La Conner’s Maple Hall on Feb. 12. More than 50 fourth- and fifth-graders from around the county participated. To choose the best two candidates, each participant was asked to tell a panel of judges why he or she wanted to be a Tulip Ambassador and answer a “mystery” question such as: “What is your favorite subject in school and why?”

“It’s delightful,” Verge said.

“The children are very proud of where they live and what we have here; they like to be a part of the festival.”

Each year, Tulip Festival Ex26

The ambassadors are excited to take on their new roles.

“I will be a good Tulip Ambassador because I love the area I live in and what it has to offer,” Cadence said.

“I wanted to go places I haven’t been before,” George said.

goskagit.com | 2020 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

Cadence’s father, Edd Natoli, noted that this year’s competition performance was a big change over last year’s, when she “froze on stage.” Cadence said that she learned how to breathe and how to speak in front of people without being nervous over the last year.

George’s older brother Henry was a 2018 Tulip Ambassador so he had received some advice before the audition like “practice your speech 1,000 times.”

PACCAR Technical Center open house (11 a.m.-3 p.m. April 11), appearing on local radio stations, riding in the start of the WaFd Bank Tulip Parade (2 p.m. April 11), meeting the governor and attending the Tulip Festival Gala, presented

by Peoples Bank and Judd & Black Appliance (5:30-9 p.m.

March 19). The ambassadorship is a great opportunity for students to get involved in their community and share their pride with visitors.

Harry and George’s parents were eager for their younger son to have the opportunity to serve as a Tulip Ambassador after their older son’s experience and George wanted to try after “Watching the fun things his brother got to do as a Tulip Ambassador.”

The Tulip Festival youth competition began as the “Little Miss Tulip” contest. Today the event is open to all children currently attending fourth or fifth grade in Skagit County and has become a search for “Tulip Ambassadors.” Two official Tulip Ambassadors are chosen each February by a five-panel judging team from the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Board of Directors. The Tulip Festival organization works to make the try-outs a special occasion for the kids.

Over the course of the year, Tulip Ambassadors are given a variety of tasks in their role of representing the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival including greeting visitors at the annual

LOOK FOR OUR CLOCK

(The Historic 1906 Howard/Mayer Street Clock)

BACKYARD April 18 db Simon Pearce

db design

Then come into a store filled with unique jewelry, extraordinary gemstones, the largest selection of crystal and dinnerware in the Northwest, an Art Gallery, and unexpected treasures.

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Buy some bulbs

Where to get what you need to grow your own tulips

The tulips are spread throughout the Skagit Valley in rotating fields a few miles apart so you will want to take a driving tour to see them all.

The festival’s biggest tulip suppliers, RoozenGaarde/Washington Bulb Co., Inc. and Tulip Town, both offer artistic tulip displays in their show gardens and have deep roots in tulip growing stemming back to their family ancestries in Holland.

Washington Bulb Co. / RoozenGaarde Flowers & Bulbs Owned by the Roozen family, RoozenGaarde (Tulips.com) is a division of Washington Bulb Company Inc., the largest flower bulb grower in North America.

It has more than 1,000 acres of tulip and daffodil fields located in the Skagit Valley.

In addition to the fields of flowers, they also grow tulips and lilies year-round in 15 acres of greenhouses. Washington Bulb Company Inc. is one of the largest employers in the Skagit Valley and the primary tulip supplier to the Tulip Festival.

Tulip Festival hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through April or when the tulips stop blooming. The 5-acre display garden is re-designed every year with 90 plus varieties of tulips and over 150 other flower varieties including daffodils, 28

goskagit.com | 2020 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

hyacinths, crocus, muscari and other specialty flowers.

This year’s design will feature plenty of unique patterns, brilliant color combinations, and the always popular flowering rivers of deep blue muscari. A 25-acre tulip field and 22 acre daffodil field sit next to the display garden. Festival admission is $10 per person; $1 off admission with military I.D., free for kids 5 and younger.

Parking is free: the lot is on Beaver Marsh Road. RoozenGaarde also operates official pay parking located by the tulip fields. Parking in official pay lots is included with a paid RoozenGaarde admission (show your ticket stub) or if you park in an official pay lot, the ticket stub is good for one admission to RoozenGaarde. (Admission/parking must occur on the same day).

Don’t forget the gift shop, bulb booth and fresh cut flowers. Pets and drones not permitted.

Washington Bulb Company was purchased by William Roozen in

1955 from two of the area’s original bulb growers. He had emigrated from Holland in 1947 with years of tulip bulb experience and dreams of growing a flourishing bulb business in America. William’s skills were a family tradition; the Roozens had been tulip farmers for at least six generations dating back to the 1700s. William Roozen passed away in 2002 with five sons and 35 grandchildren to keep the business in the family. His five sons are the company principles.

Today the business farms about 2,000 acres of land including other crops such as daffodils, Iris and wheat. The company ships over 70 million cut flowers and tens of millions of tulip, daffodil, iris, hyacinth and other specialty flower bulbs every year. After the fields of flowers have been topped, the bulbs are allowed to mature and multiply and are then harvested. RoozenGaarde farmers select the largest bulbs from each year’s crop so others can grow the same beautiful tulips, daffodils, and iris in their own home gardens.

Tulip Town Meet Tulip Town’s new owners: Five Mount Vernon High alums.

Spinach Bus Venture Group purchased the business from Tom and Jeannette DeGoede in 2019. The DeGoede’s lovingly ran Tulip Town since 1984 but were ready for retirement. Spinach Bus Venture Group is run by a group of five Mount Vernon High School classmates from the class of 1994.

“The transition has gone really smoothly,” President Angela Speer said. “The DeGoede’s have been really supportive and helpful. They came to see us at the Harvest Festival and our holiday event.”

The owners of Spinach Bus Venture Group literally rode the spinach bus in Skagit County as kids and are committed to giving back to the community that raised them by purchasing Tulip Town and other local businesses. The group intends to honor Tulip Town’s rich tradition while incorporating some new ideas. Their goal is to keep the farm a strong agricultural statement that the community can be proud of.

Excellent landscaping techniques are featured throughout the farm, with apple trees, gardens, nursery trees, annuals and perennials. Learn more about the members of Spinach Bus Ventures at sbventuregroup.com.

The 2020 show gardens will officially open to the public on April 1 and remain open through bloom season, though the gardens will be ready to open by mid-March if blooms start early. Tulip Town will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Admission in-

cludes a self-guided indoor tulip show featuring huge indoor tulip flower arrangements in over 75 pedestals with a backdrop of oil murals depicting the Skagit Valley and Holland painted by this year’s Tulip Festival poster artist, Jennifer Bowman.

READY, SET, SHOP & PLAY

With the new owners there are some fun changes going on at Tulip Town for 2020: the café and retail store with new merchandise have been brought in-house for a whole new experience — credit cards now accepted. For the first time, there will be a beer and wine garden during the Tulip Festival.

Admission is $10 per adult; children 6-12 are $5 each; children five and under are always free. Cash only for admission (ATM on-site).

Trolley rides are great fun for kids and the whole family, weather permitting. Roll through our tulip fields with 67 tulip varieties and over 7 million bulbs, past our barns and underneath professional kite flying (you can also bring your own kite or buy in the art gallery). Rides cost $2 per adult and $1 for kids, cash only.

Tulip Town has an art gallery, gift shop and face painting. There is also a children’s arts and crafts table 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Parking is free in the gravel parking lot with special spots for those with disabilities: the lot is on Bradshaw Road, adjoining the Tulip Town fields and indoor flower show. No pets (except service animals) or drones. Please visit tuliptown.com for more information.

Anacortes Spring Wine Festival Saturday, April 11 30 Wineries Food Pairings On-site wine shop anacortes.org/wine

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Get your gear 30

goskagit.com | 2020 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

Posters, stickers, clothing available for Tulip Festival Kevin Hartman, president of Westar Solutions, took over as the official Tulip Festival merchandising supplier for 2020.

Based in Mount Vernon, Westar Solutions offers a complete line of screenprinting supplies, equipment and

graphic services including graphic design.

Hartman intends to make a seamless transition from the last festival merchandiser, Jody Bergsma, by keeping a consistent merchandising “look” that appeals to people.

Popular products like coasters, stickers and posters will be available along with some new styles. What’s different is that clothing will now also be manufactured locally, so they’ll be able to offer a wider variety of colors and sizes.

LET US MAKE YOU BURGER HAPPY! LEAVE THE TULIP TRAFFIC BEHIND! ONLY 10 MILES FROM MOUNT VERNON

“We’re glad to bring all merchandising back to Skagit County for the first time in a decade,” Hartman said. “Ninety percent of all products will be produced at Westar Solutions and we’ve been able to outsource the remaining 10% to other Skagit county businesses who’ve been our customers over the years. We also have relationships with local retailers who can carry some of these products.”

Hartman’s connection to the Tulip Festival began as a child raised in Mount Vernon.

He has a background in art, design and manufacturing.

Kevin has worked for Westar for 21 years, straight out of high school. He took over as president in 2006.

“Art is a passion of mine,” he said. “I’ve always created things; it’s something I do.

One of the ways I express this is as president of the Mount Vernon Arts Commission.”

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“The festival saw our potential and what we could create and liked the idea of bringing it back to Skagit County,” he said. “It’s a big circle. It’s not just a festival or about making a profit. We’re involved in Tulip Festival meetings — we’re involved in developing the festival and being part of the community. Keeping manufacturing in Skagit County helps to build our community; it keeps jobs in the county.”

1172 Highway 20 Sedro-Woolley, WA

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Hartman said “it feels pretty good” when asked how he feels about being selected as the official merchandising supplier.

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