The splendor and diversity of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival beckons families every year.
This, the festival’s 28th year, will be no different, with more than 40 events and activities for families to enjoy, from watching giant apple-cider doughnuts being made to petting alpacas.
And
remember, there are those tulips.
The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival starts today and runs through April 30. The tulips may not be blooming until about Monday but there should be fields of daffodils to admire, the festival’s executive director, Cindy Verge, said.
You’ll find the daffodil and tulip fields within a 15-square-mile triangle of land bordered by Highway 20, the Skagit River and the Swinomish Channel in Skagit County, so there are lots of chances to see colorful flowers.
But with or without tulips, the festival’s family-friendly activities are certainly in bloom. Here’s a list to choose from:
•The Not So Impromptu Tulip Parade: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 9, First Street, La Conner. You can join in, or just watch, because in this parade, no entry is too small. And wacky, impromptu entries are welcome. Entry forms available at Skagit County U.S. Bank branches and online at www.tulipfestival.org.
26th annual Tulip Run: 9:30 a.m. April 9 at the Skagit Regional Airport in Burlington. This is a scenic 2- or 5-mile course on flat, gravel-packed trails. Free to 14 and under and to 70 and older. All others, $12 general, $22 with shirt. Get more information and register at www.tuliprun.com.
CountryTime Alpacas: Open from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through April 30 at 5168 Highway 9, Sedro-Woolley. This farm is packed with more than 45 alpacas to pet, along with a fiber studio to explore, kids’ crafts and a self-guided educational tour. Adults $2, kids free. For more information, call 360-854-9498 or go to www.countrytimealpacas.com.
Tulip Town: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in April at 15002 Bradshaw Road, Mount Vernon. Free trolley rides are offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays along with professional kite demonstrations each Saturday and Sunday when the weather permits, face painting every day and a children’s art table from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Adults $5; military $4; children 16 and under free. Call 360-424-8152 or go to www.tuliptown.com.
Rosabella’s Garden Bakery: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday in April at 8933 Farm to Market Road, Bow. Take a tulip break and visit this working apple orchard and taste their well-known 5-pound apple pie — featured in Sunset magazine — and watch apple cider doughnuts being made. Call 360-766-6360 or go to www.rosabellasgarden.com.
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.
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