Organizers of the 85th Annual Tulip Festival are looking back on what they describe as a successful and well-attended weekend in Orange City, highlighted by strong visitor turnout, favorable weather, and continued community support.
2026 Tulip Festival Chair Jennie Droog says the festival got off to a fast start during Wednesday night’s opening festivities.
While Thursday brought windy conditions, Droog says crowds remained steady before warmer weather and strong attendance returned Friday and Saturday. She says organizers are still compiling final attendance figures, but early signs point to numbers rebounding after last year’s colder and rainier conditions.
Visitor Feedback & Hospitality
Droog says one of the most common comments from visitors centered around Orange City’s hospitality and appearance.
She says guests frequently remarked on how clean and well-kept the community looked, both downtown and throughout the city. Droog adds that many visitors appreciated interactions with local businesses, vendors, and volunteers, describing the overall atmosphere as welcoming and friendly.
Volunteers & Community Tradition
Droog says the festival’s continued success reflects the commitment of volunteers spanning from longtime community members to students returning home to help during festival weekend.
She says the Tulip Festival has grown beyond simply celebrating Dutch heritage, becoming an event that brings together residents from across the community through shared traditions and volunteerism.
Weather Challenges & Vendor Support
Organizers also dealt with periods of strong wind during the festival, particularly late Friday night into Saturday morning, when gusts impacted portions of the craft show area. Droog says several vendors returned overnight to check on their booths and helped secure neighboring tents and displays.
Festival organizers also adjusted the schedule for Friday night’s Dutch Day activities by about 30 minutes due to approaching storms, though all major events, including fireworks, were ultimately able to proceed.
Droog was grateful that the festivities were complete before Sunday evening’s severe storms.
New Additions Highlight 85th Festival
Droog says organizers were especially proud of several new additions introduced during this year’s milestone festival, including a new float, the Windmill Park renovation, commemorative art prints, a redesigned website, the return of the high school activity night, and new fireworks.
Droog also noted this year marked her final year serving as Tulip Festival chair. Eric and Rachel Van Ravenhorst will serve as chairs for the 2027 festival after previously overseeing the parade area during the past four years.
