Though the tulips probably won’t be popping for a while, families don’t have to wait for the flowers to start enjoying a veritable bloom of fun events as the monthlong Skagit Valley Tulip Festival gets under way.
Honestly, the list of free family-fun activities is too long for our pages, but we’ll hit the highlights.
New this year is the Battle of the Bands. This musical experience has bands from throughout the Pacific Northwest battling for cash and prizes every weekend during the festival, beginning at noon April 4 at the Outlet Malls on Fashion Way in Burlington.
Also new this year, CountryTime Alpacas in Sedro-Woolley is opening its ranch to families who want to see these critters up close. CountryTime has more than 40 alpacas, including babies.
Visitors get a self-guided tour with activities on Saturdays and Sundays that feature kids crafts and spinning demonstrations. The fun begins April 8. Adults are admitted for $1 and kids are free.
This year, Tulip Country Bike Tours is offering family guided trips. The signature tour is customized for the weather with stops at display gardens and open fields and for lunch. Tours start April 3.
If you’d rather run than ride, the festival continues its classic annual Tulip Run. The run starts at 9:30 a.m. April 11 at the Skagit Valley Regional Airport, 15400 Airport Drive, Burlington. Those 14 and under can run free; others pay $12 or $22 and get a T-shirt. This scenic and flat 2- or 5-mile course is on gravel-packed trails.
Perhaps your little ones prefer diesel over daffodils. Take them to the Paccar open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 11 at the truck builder’s technical center, 12479 Farm to Market Road, Mount Vernon. The tour of the 242-acre site shows visitors how trucks are developed and tested and highlights Paccar’s fleet including Kenworth, Peterbilt, DAF and Foden.
There are also lots of ways for kids to get creative. Check out the Tulip Travelers event April 18 at Skagit County Children’s Museum, 201 Cascade Mall Drive, Burlington. Kids 10 and under are treated to an array of tulip activities and crafts and end up with a bag full of their own tulip creations to take home. Also, April 17 and 18, the Downtown Mount Vernon Street Fair is filled with children’s activities and live music.
What child doesn’t like a parade? Starting at 2 p.m. April 11, the often hilarious 24th annual Kiwanis Club of La Conner Not So Impromptu Tulip Parade marches down First Street. The parade welcomes a wacky wave of farm animals, clowns, bands, mascots and favorite pets.
Before the festival ends, families can attend the Skagit Tulip Fly-In and Airshow that starts at 10 a.m. April 25 at Skagit Regional Airport. The event boasts many types of military and vintage aircraft, and kids can sign up for free flights.
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424
goffredo@heraldnet.com
Doing the tulip fest
The 26th Annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival runs from April 1 to 30. The Web site, www.tulipfestival.org, provides a complete list of events and locations. The Web site includes a real time “Bloom Map” with icons that light up as fields begin to show color — daffodils in yellow, tulips in red, iris in blue. You can also call the festival office at 360-428-5959.
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