Events

Behind-the-Scenes of Tulip Time in Holland

April 30, 2013

in Cultural & Heritage,Events,Guest Blogger

From May 4-11, more than 500,000 people from around the world will travel to Holland, Michigan to experience the 2013 Tulip Time Festival. The festival features Dutch dance performances, concerts, theatre, food, parades and more – all of which take a lot of time and dedication to produce by a team of more than 800 people.

Gwen Auwerda, Executive Director of the festival, gives us a sneak peek at what goes into the making of Tulip Time.

In Holland, Michigan, it rained for 13 days in a row this month and the tulips are loving it! The town is being spruced up from a long winter and the Tulip Time Festival staff and interns are busy with the finishing touches on all the great events, entertainment and parades.

Here are just some of the many things that happen behind-the-scenes in Holland as we prepare for the festival.

Prepping Pigs-in-a-Blanket

500 dozen pigs-in-a-blanket – a traditional Dutch food – were made by a group of volunteers from First United Methodist Church. “Pigs” as we call them are a sausage roll covered with pastry dough and served to thousands of visitors at Dutch Marketplaats lunch in our Civic Center. This is quite a time honored tradition for the church.

Marching Band Practice

Thirty bands are practicing their marching skills and will be marching in the Saturday GMB Muziekparade, the longest parade in Michigan at 2.4 miles. The Columbia Central High School Golden Eagle Marching Band from Brooklyn, Michigan is anticipating its 69th year marching in the Tulip Time Festival GMB Muziekparade! Starting in 1941, this band has traveled nearly 300 miles round trip each year to participate in the Tulip Time Festival parades. Some of the group’s favorite memories of the Festival include the inconsistent weather conditions our lovely Lake Michigan provides each year, the thrill of the crowds’ response to the band’s performances and the seemingly timeless experience the festival provides.

This year, May 11th is the day of the GMB Muziekparade, but also another important day in the lives of CCHS students: it’s Prom night! This important celebration of high school is not deterring the band from making its appearance at Tulip Time. Director Joe Folts lends this dedication to tradition and loyalty. He says that “Kids wouldn’t think of not going to the festival – it’s not a question, it’s a treasured tradition.”

Some band members are second generation marchers making participating even more important and special for the Golden Eagles.

Dutch Dance Rehearsals

Dutch Dancing is another signature event during the festival. The dancers typically learn the dance in high school and can continue dancing as an “alumni dancer” after graduation. This year, we have over 900 dancers who wear clothing representing the late 1800s and early 1900s. Practices begin in January and the dancers spend 30 hours over the next 4 months learning the dance. This event is a visitor favorite and free!

We couldn’t put together an internationally known flower festival without our beloved volunteers. It takes over 800 volunteers over an 8 day period to help with trash pickup, ushering at the shows, set-up, deliver potted tulips to the venues around the city, assist with the Tulip Time run, Queen’s Day Bike Criterium and the three parades. It is because of the dedication of these volunteers that our city can invite over 500,000 guests to Join the Dance! We hope to see you in beautiful Holland for the 84^th Tulip Time Festival.

Gwen Auwerda is the Executive Director of the Tulip Time Festival in Holland.

Are you heading to Tulip Time this year? Share with us below!

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Manistee’s Annual Tight Lines for Troops Event

April 25, 2013

in Events,Guest Blogger

The 4^th Annual Tight Lines for Troops event is happening in Manistee, Michigan on May 18^th. Today, guest blogger Maralee Cook fills us in on what the day will entail.

Veterans from 165 communities across the state of Michigan will have the opportunity to land a record catch during Manistee’s 4^th Annual Tight Lines for Troops on Armed Forces Day, May 18. Take part in saluting them as they return to port, as well as enjoying a day of special events in downtown Manistee.

Sixty private and charter boat captains will donate their boats, crew and time to host 240 Vets for a day of fishing on Lake Michigan. Manistee County’s Explore the Shores program makes many of the fishing piers, beaches and the city’s Riverwalk universally accessible as well, for those additional 60 Vets who fish the Shore Division. Veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Panama, the Cold War, plus Vets from conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo and Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan are expected to join in the fun.

The boats, crew and Vets will head out on Lake Michigan from the Manistee River basin at dawn. While the Vets are fishing, downtown shopkeepers and business people will host a variety of activities and specials for the Vets’ families, including the Farmers Market, entertainment, SOS Cook-Off, Customs ‘N Classics Car Show, Art of the Military Art Exhibit, and more. At noon the fishing teams will return to the channel to make the two-mile trip upriver to Seng’s Marina on Manistee Lake, saluted by the welcoming cheers of thousands of flag-waving onlookers from the piers, Riverwalk and drawbridges.

Charter boat captain and event founder Bob Guenthardt, with the help of Manistee’s Little River Casino Resort, created Tight Lines for Troops to produce an event that would show appreciation and offer an entertaining day of fishing, fish tales and life stories. Manistee area boat captains and crews also have the chance to share their passion for fishing Lake Michigan’s premier fishing destination with Vets who might not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy the experience.

Over 500 sponsors and volunteers contribute to the success of the program. Veterans pay no charter fees or entry fees. Residual proceeds from donations benefit the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Manistee County Veterans Endowment Fund and the Veterans Program at Brain Injury Association of Michigan. For more information, call the Manistee County Visitors Bureau at 877.626.4783 or visit www.visitmanisteecounty.com.

Maralee Cook is a freelance writer living in Manistee, Michigan.

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Help Pure Michigan and Founders Brewing Co. Choose a Pure Michigan Beer Style

April 23, 2013

in Events

UPDATE: This contest has closed. Vanilla Stout will be featured on tap at Founders Brewing Co. this July. Thanks to everyone who voted!

With the craft beer craze continuing to sweep the state of Michigan and summer approaching, Pure Michigan and Founders Brewing Co. have teamed up to give fans and craft beer enthusiasts a chance to pick a Founders beer style that best represents Pure Michigan. Now through Friday, May 3, fans can vote on the beer style they want to see available in the Founders tap room – Vanilla Stout, Apple Ale or Wheat IPA. To vote, simply use the form below. Participants must be 21 years of age to vote.

The beer chosen by fans will be featured in the Founders tap room in downtown Grand Rapids throughout July as part of Michigan Craft Beer Month. For more details, visit michigan.org.

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The State of Michigan Celebrates Earth Day 2013

April 16, 2013

in Events

Earth Day is coming up on Monday, April 22, and the Michigan Department of Environmental Equality (DEQ) is doing their part to celebrate and make a difference!

This Thursday, April 18, the Michigan Departments of Environmental Quality, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Natural Resources are coming together for the 2013 State of Michigan Earth Day Event at Constitution Hall in Lansing, Michigan. This event is both celebratory and educational, and feedback from teachers and schools has indicated that it’s been a highly valued learning experience for those who have participated in the past. In 2012, nearly 3,200 adults and students attended.

Thomas Occhipinti, Environmental Education Coordinator for the DEQ fills us in on what to expect at this year’s event:

The Program. The Earth Day itinerary runs from 8:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., featuring several performances from school groups to bands. Following a performance, Director Wyant and Deputies from each department open the celebration, interacting with students and recognizing the poster contest winners. The Detroit Audubon Society Safe Passages program will present the State with an award for saving birds by turning off lights in tall buildings.

The Exhibits. This event includes more than 50 interactive displays, developed and presented by the three departments and by organizations joining the celebration. Displays will be staged both throughout the Atrium level and under tents outside the building.

The Participants. More than 1,800 students, accompanied by 350 teachers and chaperones, from approximately 25 schools across Michigan will converge on Constitution Hall, to spend a portion of their day, learning how to protect the environment. Several hundred staff children from DEQ, MDARD, and DNR are expected to join the event.

The Kindergarten 1st Place Poster by Matthew Devine of Elmwood Elementary School in St. Clair Shores

The Posters. The 2013 Earth Day Poster Contest received more than 2,500 posters from 150 participating Michigan schools. The 12 Earth Day Poster Contest winners, their families, and their teachers will be recognized and awarded prizes. Prize donations have been collected from a number of organizations.

A replicated set of the 12 winning posters is being matted and framed. This set of posters will be mounted and displayed somewhere in Constitution Hall. A second set will be provided to the winners’ schools. Original posters are returned to the families.

Trees. More than 2,000 tree seedlings to be given to Earth Day participants. An acre of trees can eliminate six tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year and produce four tons of oxygen.

Earth Day Michigan Activities. A portion of our Earth Day website includes a listing of many Earth Day celebrations throughout Michigan. You can go to a Michigan map, click on your region, and be linked to a list of Earth Day celebrations throughout the region.

Teacher Bags. Some 200 special bags have been prepared for teachers; they contain materials appropriate for use in the classroom.

Will you or your child be participating in the State of Michigan Earth Day Event on Thursday?

To find other Earth Day celebrations happening across the state, visit michigan.org or michigan.gov.

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Discover Holland During the 2013 Tulip Time Festival

April 11, 2013

in Cultural & Heritage,Events,Guest Blogger

More than 500,000 people from 40 countries travel to the Holland Tulip Time Festival each year. This year’s festival is happening May 4-11, 2013 and there will be plenty to experience – from parades and traditional Dutch Dance performances to concerts, theatre, food and more. And outside of the festival, there’s no shortage of sights to see and things to explore around the Holland area. If you’re looking for things to do while you’re in town, see our Q&A with Sally Laukitis of the Holland CVB below for inspiration.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your position at the Holland Convention and Visitors Bureau
A: I grew up in Holland, went away to college, and lived out of state for a few years…I’ve always loved Holland and wanted to get “back home”, so when the opportunity to move back presented itself, I jumped on it! I’ve been with the Holland CVB for 20 years, serving as Executive Director for 18. I truly feel like I have the best job in the world! (I also currently serve on the Michigan Travel Commission.)

Credit: Wei Xue Yuan

Q: What do you think makes Holland the perfect place to host the Tulip Time Festival?
A: Holland is a natural for Tulip Time! For starters we have over five million tulips; a 250 year-old authentic Dutch windmill that was brought over from the Netherlands, a Dutch-certified master miller working the mill; and a city that was founded by Dutch settlers in 1847. Our Dutch heritage runs deep, including many residents with ties to the Netherlands and visits by Dutch royalty nearly every decade since World War II. We have the only production blue-and-white Delftware factory in the US, and a community that loves to throw a party! Tulip Time boasts over 800 volunteers community-wide!

Q: What other fun events are happening in Holland this spring?
A: In addition to Tulip Time, we host a “GrooveWalk” April 20 with thirteen bands performing live in thirteen different restaurants, pubs, and other establishments throughout Downtown; Fiesta! – a celebration of our Latino heritage is May 3 & 4 with a lowrider show, great Mexican food and ethnic music; the Holland Farmer’s Market opens May 13 with all sorts of fresh produce, flowers, yard art, artisan baked goods, and in the summer special kids’ activities Wednesday mornings at 10 and the Chef Series Saturday mornings at 10; the Critter Barn offers a delightful family experience where folks of all ages can get “up close and personal” with ducks, goats, cows, and even a pot-bellied pig; and of course our Dutch attractions – Windmill Island Gardens, DeKlomp Wooden Shoe & Delft Factory and Veldheer Gardens are fun for all.

Windmill Island Gardens. Credit: Sara Simmons

Q: Can visitors experience Holland’s Dutch culture year-round?
A: The Dutch experience is alive and well all year! At the Holland Museum you can immerse yourself in over 150 years of our Dutch history, including the devastating fire of 1871 that destroyed most of the town, as well as the history of Tulip Time; Dutch architecture is evident throughout our award-winning downtown and in our historic district, and in late November/early December folks can enjoy Dutch WinterFest and the Holidays in Downtown Holland, including a European open-air Christmas market and the appearance of Sinterklaas, the Dutch St Nicholas arriving in Holland on his white horse, accompanied by his Zwarte Piet helpers. For year-round treasures and Dutch chocolates, the import shops at Dutch Village are the place to be!

Q: What are some of your favorite restaurants in the area?
A: There are lots of wonderful locally-owned restaurants in Holland! If you’re craving authentic Dutch food, the 4^th generation DeBoer’s Dutch Brothers Café and Bakkerij is sure to please; for family fun, try Crazy Horse Steak House for the best beef in town; if you want a romantic dinner overlooking the water, Piper is an excellent choice; for outdoor waterfront dining, Boatwerks, with its spacious deck is a great choice. And don’t forget Pereddies for a cozy Italian dinner.

Q: What’s your favorite way to spend a day off in Holland?
A: No matter what the weather, nothing beats a walk on the beach! The two-mile walk along the water’s edge between Holland State Park and Tunnel Park is fabulous any time of year! In the fall, I particularly like to climb to the top of Mt. Pisgah, a 157 foot sand dune that towers above Lake Michigan. It’s 230 steps to the top, with a panoramic view of Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa that is second to none. Once you reach the top, there’s a boardwalk that connects to the State Park ridge trails. And of course there is nothing more magnificent than a Lake Michigan sunset!

Tunnel Park Sunset. Credit: Dennis Geppert

Q: Where can people go for more information about things to do in the Holland area?
A: If folks are in town, they can stop by the Holland Visitors Bureau at 78 East 8^th Street in downtown Holland. Our mascot, Lucy the Pug, will be waiting to greet them! Online they can find us at www.holland.org, also accessible via their mobile device, or they can call us toll-free at 800.506.1299. No matter how people contact us, a warm Dutch “Welkom” awaits!

Will you be at Tulip Time in Holland? Let us know what you’re looking forward to seeing while in town!

Sally Laukitis is Executive Director of the Holland Area Visitors Bureau. She loves “everything Holland”, especially hanging out at the beach on a hot summer day.

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