Skagit Valley Tulip Festival kicks off April 1; workers reach agreement after going on strike
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. - A spring staple in western Washington is returning for its 38th year.
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival kicks off on April 1 with Tulip Town and RoozenGaarde participating. New this yard is a third garden-- Garden Rosalyn. Learn more about Garden Rosalyn here.
Organizers are recommending people to come the second week of the month to catch the flowers at peak bloom.
The festival is open April 1 to April 30, rain or shine. Dress accordingly-- particularly for muddy fields.
Festival organizers say the busiest day to attend is Saturday, regardless of weather. Sundays, Fridays and Mondays are the next busiest days.
A week ago, a group of Washington state tulip and daffodil farm workers have gone on strike to demand that the Washington Bulb Co. improve wages and health and safety protocols. Washington Bulb Company is owned by RoozenGaarde Flowers and Bulbs, one of the largest employers in the Skagit Valley north of Seattle. An agreement was reached by Friday morning.
2021 marked the first year the festival opened since the pandemic started-- it shut down operations in 2020 and guests were required to wear masks outside last year.
FOX 13 News reached out to organizers and they said masks are optional for this year's visits.
All pre-purchased tickets are nonrefundable. Each of the three gardens will be limiting the number of people admitted at any one time; the ticket you purchase will give you admission to the garden you are visiting at a particular time for a specified period of time.
As a reminder, guests will have to buy a separate ticket for admission to Tulip Town, RoozenGaarde and Garden Rosalyn.
Click here for ticket information for Tulip Town, RoozenGaarde and Garden Rosalyn.
Get more information on the festival and activities here.
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