Bringing the joy of Tulip Time back to Holland, Michigan in 2021!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Simone Weithers
Communications Director
616.396.4221 x111
media@tuliptime.com

The 91st Tulip Time Festival scheduled for May 2–10, 2020 was cancelled on March 16, 2020 to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in West Michigan. While the unprecedented necessity to cancel the festival was important for the safety of the Holland community and guests, we are heartbroken to experience this loss.

We recognize the huge financial impact this creates, not only for our organization, but Holland’s entire travel, leisure and retail industry. Like many impacted by COVID-19, we could not have imagined facing such a financially devastating situation that literally threatens the viability of Tulip Time 2021.

We are reaching out to you, our community and international Tulip Time fans, with the hope that you value the tradition of Tulip Time. If you have ever experienced the joy of our festival or hope to attend in the future, we ask you to donate and share this campaign.

STAND WITH US and help make Tulip Time's return in 2021 a reality!

Donate to Tulip Time’s GoFundMe Campaign: charity.gofundme.com/tuliptime

Our Story

Since 1929, Tulip Time has brought hundreds of thousands of tulip blossoms — and an equal number of Dutch Dancers and tulip-lovers — to the city of Holland, Michigan. Set to breathtaking sights just off the shores of Lake Michigan, our festival celebrates all that Holland has to offer, showcasing stunning tulip displays, honoring Dutch Heritage, and celebrating Holland’s growing community today. Never in its 91 years of existence has Tulip Time been completely cancelled, seeing West Michigan through historic events like the Great Depression, World War II, 9/11, and the Great Recession of 2008.

As an open-air festival set in the heart of downtown, Tulip Time is not confined to geographic boundaries and requires no entrance fee. This open-air format allows for community-wide collaboration and encourages spectators to enjoy many free and favorite events like the world-famous Dutch Dancers and some of the largest parades in the state of Michigan. We pride ourselves in collaborating with local businesses and organizations to welcome 500,000 attendees and 48 million dollars in economic impact to the city each year.

Read our economic impact study: www.tuliptime.com/about/econ-impact

A Nonprofit Organization

Many don’t realize that Tulip Time is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, a business entity that operates separately from the City of Holland. We rely on donations, ticket sales, merchandise sales and participation fees to sustain the festival and offset programming expenses.

After 10 months of planning and investing in the 2020 festival, the cancellation and resulting loss of our entire revenue stream leaves us in a very precarious position. At this late date, most costs for our previously scheduled events cannot be recouped and we are facing refunds to most of our ticket holders. We have taken heartbreaking yet necessary measures to reduce current expenses, including letting go two-thirds of our incredible, hardworking staff.

Everyone has been impacted by challenges surrounding COVID-19, and still, West Michigan has rallied in support of Tulip Time. We are so thankful for the ten percent of ticket holders that have converted their purchases into donations and the ninety-eight percent of corporate and small business sponsors that have chosen to honor their 2020 commitments. After all this support, we still must raise an additional $575,000 to break even, 43.5% of which could be covered by our GoFundMe campaign.

Serving Our Community

In this time of great need, we understand the importance, now more than ever, to collaborate and give back. Tulip Time is committed to helping Holland get through this current crisis. We take today’s challenge as an opportunity to serve the vibrant community we have celebrated every spring since 1929.

Dutch Dance costume directors are now sewing masks for Holland Hospital. A portion of the proceeds of the Tulip Time Virtual Run in May will be donated to Kids Food Basket. We have also joined the City of Holland, Downtown Holland and the Holland Area Visitors Bureau to create the #OneHolland Campaign, encouraging our city to work together in the days ahead to ensure a bright and prosperous future for all. A portion of proceeds from #OneHolland will be donated to Community Action House.

Visit our website to learn more about the Holland Tulip Time Festival: www.tuliptime.com

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