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Spring has sprung at the 14th Annual Tulip Festival at Ashton Gardens May 17, 2018, 7:11 pmAccording to Tony Latimer, head of horticulture at Thanksgiving Point, 282,000 tulips imported from Holland were planted last fall in order to bloom for this year's festival. Out of those thousands of tulips, there are 130 different varieties of tulips, and 12 Antique tulip varieties (the oldest variety is from 1595). "All the tulips from last year were dug up and sold off at our greenhouse. We purchased all new bulbs and created new designs," said Latimer. So each year the festival has new designs, flowers and activities. So how do Latimer and Ashton Gardens design and create such an amazing Tulip Festival each year? "We will start designing next year's Tulip Festival during this year's festival. Our design team critiques our show and looks for ways to improve and change. We then meet with bulb companies from the Netherlands and see which bulbs varieties are available," said Latimer. "The new design needs to be complete and new bulbs ordered in early June. New bulbs arrive mid-September they are divided into the various gardens and then planted. This process takes us about 4 weeks." Not only can guests expect to see colorful and beautiful tulips, there are many other types of flowers throughout the gardens. These include: 200,000 naturalized Daffodils, 200,000 other spring bulbs (like Fritillaria, Hyacinths, Allium, Scillia, Muscari, Chionodoxa, and Anemones), 52,000 Pansies and Violas, 15,000 English Daisies, and 12,000 Iceland Poppies. Some of the other activities at the 2018 Tulip Festival include: *Antique Tulips area: In this area, you can see antique tulips as old as 1595. These are actual bulbs that have lasted for centuries. These tulips our supplied by Hortus Bulborum which is a living museum in the Netherlands that is about conservation of historic and rare bulbs. *Dutch Days April 27-28: Enjoy authentic Dutch food, music and storytelling. *Wooden Shoe Scavenger Hunt: Scattered throughout the gardens are giant wooden shoes. Find all the shoes in the scavenger hunt for a chance to win prizes. *Children's Activities in the Tulip Tot Playland: Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mondays from 4-8 p.m. In this area children can make crafts, play games, and jump in bounce houses. *Swing Dance May 4, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Back again this year is the Utah Swing Orchestra playing fun dancing music for everyone next to the waterfall. *Tulip Festival Photo Contest: All photographers are invited to submit their favorite shots from this year's festival for a chance to win prizes. See website for more information. *Festival Market in the Waterfall Amphitheater: Fridays and Saturdays all day-Food trucks and vendors will be there. At the end of the Tulip Festival, the tulip bulbs from the event go on sale for four dollars per dozen. The Tulip Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Thanksgiving Point members can enjoy an early admission from 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. each opening day. Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for senior and children aged 3-12. Military personnel get a 25 percent discount with valid ID. Entrance is free to Thanksgiving Point members and children under two. For more information visit thanksgivingpoint.org. The community news source for Eagle Mountain Utah, Saratoga Springs Utah, Lehi Utah, American Fork Utah, Highland Utah, Alpine Utah, and The Cedar Valley, including Cedar Fort Utah and Fairfield Utah. Copyright 2024 The Crossroads Journal LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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