Five years ago, a successful Tulip Festival was held in Drayton.
The festival was organized, in part, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands from the Nazis, mostly by Canadian soldiers.
Because of this, Dutch people have a special fondness for Canada, which is why many immigrated here after the Second World War.
Now it’s the 65th anniversary and the Tulip Festival returns. This event is a celebration of not only all things Dutch, but of European culture and Canadian-European friendship.
The Tulip Festival will be May 15, from 11am to 6pm. It starts with a parade that leads to Drayton’s PMD Arena, where there will be a crafters and artisans show, food and vendor booths, floral and costume competitions, a beer garden and musical performances. The food booths will offer a variety of tasty treats from Canada and Europe, while the crafters and artisans will show and sell fine handmade works.
Those who have a knack for flower arranging can enter a tulip arrangement in the “Everything’s Coming Up Tulips” competition.
There will be prizes for best float, best costumes and best tulip theme for parade entries, plus prizes for the tulip flower arrangements.
A treat will be a large display of garden-scale model trains, from Fred and Jenny Aldred, of Penetanguishene. The Aldreds display their model railroads at shows and festivals all over Ontario and are active members of the Model Railroad Association.
The festival’s official opening is at 1pm and will include a ceremony by local Legion members to remember those from the area who fought to help liberate Holland and the rest of Europe. This sacrifice is not forgotten by the Dutch.
There will also be a garden tour of several area gardens, as well as a stop at Studio Factor, the local art studio, which will have a display of tulip-themed art and a special one-day-only tea room. The garden tour can also be part of a cycling tour.
The festival kicks off on Friday night – May 14 – with a Tulip Queen competition, open to young women aged 16 to 21. If anyone would like to perform at the festival, put in a crafters booth, set up a food or vendor booth, enter a float or character in the parade, or enter the Tulip Queen competition, contact Kym Drinkwater at 519-638-3313 ext. 21 or Marlene Ottens at 519-638-2894.
More information can be found at www.mapleton.ca under “Tulip Festival.”
