Tulip Festival (Albany, New York) facts for kids
The Tulip Festival is a fun event held every spring in Albany, New York. It takes place in Washington Park and usually lasts for a weekend. This special festival often happens around Mother's Day.
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How the Tulip Festival Started
A Gift from the Netherlands
The Tulip Festival began because Albany became a "sister city" with Nijmegen in the Netherlands. Being sister cities means two cities in different countries become friends and share their cultures. After World War II, the Netherlands wanted to thank Albany for its help. So, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands sent 2,000 tulip bulbs to Albany as a thank-you gift.
Albany's Official Flower
On July 1, 1948, Albany's Mayor Erastus Corning 2nd made a rule. This rule declared the tulip as the official flower of the city. Mayor Corning also asked Queen Wilhelmina to name a special tulip variety for Albany.
The "Orange Wonder" Tulip
The Queen replied on July 11, 1948, saying she was happy to choose a tulip for Albany. She picked a type called "Orange Wonder." This tulip is quite rare and grows about 18 inches tall. It has a beautiful orange color that turns scarlet towards its center.
The First Festival and Traditions
The very first Tulip Festival happened the next year, on May 14, 1949. Some traditions that started then are still part of the festival today. These include the ceremonial sweeping of State Street and the crowning of the Tulip Queen.
Fun Events and Ceremonies
Sweeping State Street
The festival always starts with a special ceremony. Students dressed in traditional Dutch clothing ceremonially scrub State Street. This is a unique way to kick off the celebration.
Crowning the Tulip Queen
Each year, a young person is chosen and crowned as the Tulip Queen. The Tulip Queen then becomes an ambassador for Albany. This means she represents the city for the whole next year.
Mother of the Year Award
Since 1998, the Tulip Festival has also honored a special person. They give an award to the Mother of the Year. This celebrates mothers in the community.
Special Anniversaries and Traditions
In 1997, the festival celebrated its 50th anniversary. To mark this special occasion, New York State named Albany an "I Love New York Spring Destination." Also for the 50th anniversary, a new type of tulip was found in the Netherlands. It was related to the "Orange Wonder" tulip. This new tulip was named "City of Albany." The festival also includes Pinksterfest. This is an old African-American tradition that has roots in Dutch celebrations.
Recent Years and Changes
Virtual Festivals During the Pandemic
In 2020 and 2021, the festival was different because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It could not happen in its usual way. Instead, people enjoyed virtual events from home.
Return to In-Person Fun
The good news is that the festival returned to its normal in-person activities in 2022. People could once again gather in Washington Park to celebrate the tulips.
Photo gallery
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Tulips
See also
- Tulip festival
