Truro Tulip Festival celebrating tenth anniversary May 18 – 21

Thanks to the warm weather experienced recently the development of blooms is looking good for the event, which will be taking place from May 18 to 21.

Coordinator Dawn Heintz describes what it was like in 1997: “The first festival was two days and relied mostly on community groups to put on dinners, book fairs etc,” she said. “We put on a Tulip Ceilidh on the Saturday night. The tulip beds were primarily found in Victoria Park and Kiwanis Park and were planted by groups (i.e. Royal Bank employees, etc.)”

Compare those proceedings to what’s planned for the 10th anniversary with close to 75 volunteers helping to orchestrate the long list of activities.

Preparations began last year with the planting of 16,000 tulips by the festival committee. The Town of Truro planted approximately the same number. “Normally, bulbs are replaced every two years, but due to some fungus problems the last two years, they have all been replaced each year,” said Heintz.

The public is invited to dig the bulbs after the festival to plant in their own yards. Bulbs are also distributed to local businesses and community groups to plant at their establishments. Last year close to 100 volunteers helped dig the bulbs.

The Truro Tulip Festival has a large impact on tourism figures, with a major increase in hotel room nights, restaurant and gift shop sales being recorded.

Some of the more popular events throughout the town this year include the Antique Market on Friday, May 18 from noon to 8 p.m. at the First United Church Hall, and the Country Craft Market at the Truro Curling Club on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

New events include an antique road show and garden seminar series at the Marigold Cultural Centre on Saturday. The Barra MacNeils will be playing at the centre on May 20.

An auto club showing, family fun fest, giant picnic in the park (Victoria), chainsaw carving, 10,000 Villages sale, book sale, science fair, model railroad display, blueberry pancake breakfast, fireworks and much, much more is planned.

For more information visit the website: www.nstulips.com