Tulip Time in Pella
Pella, IA
May 3-7, 2010






We arrived at the rally campground and were warmly greeted by our rallymasters. Thirty seven Roadtreks (and their occupants) were registered for the rally.








Roadtreks nestled among the trees, with plenty of space between units (photo by David Schiffman).








It was a chance to visit with old friends and make new ones.








Meals were held in the pavilion. It seems that Roadtrekkers like to eat (photo by David Schiffman)....









.... and talk (photo by David Schiffman).










George loves campfires, and it was an attraction to others too.








A novel "Roadtrek"; they tow it behind their real Roadtrek. Now that is brand loyalty! Note the three "windows" painted on the windshield.






We attended a concert by opera singer Simon Estes in a local high school. He sang selections from Porgy and Bess, Showboat, and other American operas and musicals.








Also on the program were a soprano from Iowa State University and the high school choir. They must have been thrilled for the opportunity to sing with Estes.








George leading a discussion on GPS units.








The second day of the rally was spent touring Pella and learning of its Dutch heritage; it was the day before the start of the tulip festival. This sign was spotted in a store in Pella; the proprietor had seen all these people with Roadtrek namebadges, hats, etc. and made up this sign to welcome us.













This huge windmill dominates the Pella downtown. It is run by volunteers and is used to grind wheat that is sold in the Pella Historical Society gift shop and to local bakeries. It is a way of raising funds for the society.










Roadtrekkers examining the mechanism for turning the windmill into the wind (photo by David and Karen McGivern).








A wood carving shop in the Pella Historical Village showing various stages in the process of making wooden shoes (photo by David Schiffman).







Fortunately the tulips were in full bloom for the weekend. How can you have Tulip Time without tulips? They were a little past their peak, but still very beautiful.









Simply gorgeous! The tulips were a welcome sight after a long winter in the upper midwest.








Animated figures in the "Klokkenspel" come out and perform, telling the story of Pella's history. It reminded me of the Glockenspiel in Munich, Germany.










Roadtrekkers waiting for the bus to go back to the campground - or maybe they are just "cooling their heels" after a hard day of sightseeing (photo by David Schiffman).







The next day was the start of the Tulip Festival. We drove our rigs into Pella; parking had been reserved for us at a downtown church near the festival events. I'm sure that others must have wondered what was happening when they saw this long line of Roadtreks parked together in Pella!









The "burgemeester" (mayor in Dutch) welcoming all who came to the Tulip Festival.








Dutch costumes were to be seen everywhere.







Street dancing was performed by various groups (photo by David and Karen McGivern).








Another dance group performed along the "canal" in Pella.  For such a small country, there is considerable variety in the Dutch costumes. It seemed that each of the 12 provinces, and sometimes even the villages, had their own clothing style.









Even the children got into the dancing. Check out the wooden shoes they are wearing.











A high school musical group performing for the festival visitors.











In the afternoon we had reserved seats for the grandstand show and saw more dancing.








Every festival has to have a queen. This is the newly crowned Tulip Queen with her attendants.








Next on the program was a parade. But first the streets have to be cleaned. Everyone, even the children, joined into cleaning the street. This seems to be a Dutch tradition. (photo by David and Karen Mcgivern).








Then the parade started. It had the usual floats by community organizations and businesses, and marching bands from area schools. This float carried former Tulip Queens in the Dutch costumes.







Many thanks to our rallymasters, Don and Wilma Sanders. They did a great job organizing the rally. It was very enjoyable and a huge success!



See additional photos by David and Karen McGivern and David Schiffman.