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TIME - In order to be on time for our parades and shows, please note that Holland is on Eastern Daylight Savings Time.

1.) When are the tulips in bloom?

The City of Holland plants early, mid and late blooming variety tulips. The early tulips typically start blooming around the third week in April. Overall blooming continues through most of May depending on the weather. The peak is usually around Mother's Day or a few days later. If we have a warm spring or hard rain, the tulips will bloom more quickly. For example, in 2001 they finished around May 19th . If we have a normal or cool spring, some tulips may last the entire month of May. Of course, if you visit in mid to late May, you will see some stems from the early/mid variety tulips.

Holland Tulip Time Festival, Inc, stages a world-class festival and popular events for area residents and visitors that showcase the community and the tulip and celebrate Dutch heritage and culture.

The idea of Tulip Time was introduced in 1927 at a Woman's Literary Club meeting. Miss Lida Rogers, a biology teacher at Holland High School, suggested that Holland adopt the tulip as its flower because of its close ties to the Netherlands, and set aside a day for a festival. She titled her talk that day "Civic Beauty" and spoke at length about the area's unique sand dunes, its fine trees, safe water supply, pure milk, and ample playgrounds. She advocated planting more trees, and because the Chamber of Commerce was seeking something appropriate, suggested planting tulips in every yard. She concluded with reading a poem, "Come Down to Holland in Tulip Time."

In 1928, City Council, under Mayor Ernest C. Brooks, appropriated funds to purchase 100,000 tulip bulbs from the Netherlands. These bulbs were to be planted in city parks and other areas. Initial plans called for a "Tulip Day." Bulbs were available to Holland residents at one cent a piece.

- Tulip Time is one of the largest flower festivals in the United States.
- The Netherlands is the tulip capital of the world.
- The tulip is a native Dutch flower.

The first two statements are true; the last one is not. Living among eight miles of tulip lanes, we in Holland USA, native or adopted Dutchmen, should have some information on why these beautiful flowers are such an important part of our heritage.