Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Each spring, in what has become a sort of perennial pilgrimage, thousands of admirers descend upon the valley to "ooh" and "ahh" over 7,000 acres of flower fields. Depending on the weather, there should be lovely flowers throughout most of the month of April -- but remember that sometimes two trips will give you the best views.

iWitness Video: Tulips, A Soothing Sight For Onlookers
iWitness Slideshow: Tulip Festival Colors Skagit Valley
Tips For Fabulous Flower Photos

Where: The Communities of Skagit County
Who: Gardeners, Flower fans, Families
How to Get There: The Skagit Valley is approx. 60 miles from Seattle. Take I-5 north; the festival can be reached from exits 221-231. Exit 226 directs you to the Tulip festival office located within the Visitors Information Center.

Tulip Tiptoeing Tips
• To avoid the crowds, you might want to try visiting on weekdays, or before 11 a.m. and after 3:30 p.m. on weekends.
• Bring some shoes/boots you don't mind getting muddy. Some of the tulip fields can get a little messy, especially after farm vehicles have plowed through.
• Pay heed when it says "No parking." It seems like everyone parks illegally (on the roadside.) But to the Skagit County police this is a ticketing D-Day.

History
The Skagit Valley has a long history of flower growing. Back in 1906, Mrs. Mary Brown Stewart planted a few bulbs from Holland and soon after began her own mail-order business. During a 1926 tulip embargo, many Dutch growers arrived to make their fortunes after the area gained a reputation for successful flower cultivation. The Skagit Valley's mild weather and fertile land helped establish it as an ideal place to grow tulips, daffodils and irises.

For updates of how the blooms are shaping up, visit their official Web site: http://www.tulipfestival.org/

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Sign Up Now! Misc. / Unlistedinfo@tulipfestival.orgFestival Office: 360-428-5959Daylight HoursRoozenGaarde: $3, kids 10 & under free, Tulip Town: $4; 16 and under free 04/12/200704/30/2007EntertainmentFestivals/FairsHome And Garden