Reason #184 to love May: Festival Season . Memorial Day weekend is intended to remember those whose last breath was taken in battle. Most people seem to have forgotten the intention behind the day and celebrate summer instead. In Alma, Michigan, however, they take time to raise awareness to the fact that grown men have knees and should proudly show them. My ginger top fooled them.... The most impressive part of the fife and drums, perhap, is that many people play in Michigan! I mean, its not like people are busking on the street corner with their bagpipe. We searched for old friends at the Feats of Strength competitions/show. Even though we didn't find them, I'm pretty sure we saw him throw a tree. The Highland Festival and Games reminded me how much I love small town fests and that plaid is truly my favourite colour.
Reason #1,247 to love Michigan: Holland. Since 1929, the Tulip Time festival in Holland has swept visitors off their feet with the vibrancy of the blooms. Guests from around the world line up to cheer for the clomping 'Klompen Dancers' who readily take over the streets in their customary coverings. While the clunking and clonking of the wooden clogs is definitely a "You gotta see it at least once" event, the real Belles of the Ball are the hundreds of thousands of tulips swaying gently in the breeze. One of the historians relayed that the tulips, found on nearly every street, in nearly every front garden, were sold to residents in 1928 for a penny each in hopes of having a town filled with delicate reminders of Spring. The tulip time festival was held the next year to showcase the flowers and the residents' foreign, yet not too distant home. Windmill Island, Nelis' Dutch Village, and Veldheer Tulip Gardens are all musts for this festival. Of course, the Dutch Village is better with kids to enjoy the rides. Also, as devil's advocate and champion advice giver (particularly of unasked for and unwanted advice), I have to say, bring your own food! Especially if you are a vege, you will not find something amazing and authentic to eat in any of these locations or in the festival booths. Of course, there will be donuts. Donuts make the world better. Parades and shimmies in funny looking hats. The perfect salutation to wind up our little trip. A nerdy message for you:
Tulips originated in Turkey and were brought to MI by Dutch immigrants in the early 20th century. |
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