Tulip tails can be some of the most magical tails to tell! Especially for a pup who likes to stop and smell the flowers along the way. We’ve always noted the signs on the highway for tulip festivals as we drive by. We kept thinking, “one of these days we should go.” Well, this year we did! And boy did we pick a beauty!
The Harrison Tulip festival began way back in 2006, almost 20 years ago! Each year, Onos Farm opens their tulip fields. People and pets from all around come to view the most exquisite tulips in full bloom. With three large fields open to your wandering pleasure, there is no shortage of blooms or photos to take. This farm has been voted the most instagramable Tulip festival at the World Tulip Summit in Holland (www.harrisontulipfest.com). Now that we have seen the fields we can see why!
Our planned weekend got a little derailed. This meant we had some time on Sunday for a little local exploring. So on to the Tulip festival we went! We found the entry process to be very quick for the weekend. There were many cars in the lot, so we expected more delays. Instead we were directed to a parking stall within seconds of entering the lot. Then at the entry gate, ticket scanning/sales were quick too. We were in the gates and headed for the tulips within 10 minutes of parking our car. That’s crazy fast for a weekend event!
With 4 food trucks to choose from there was plenty of options for everyone. We ended up with corn dogs from the Poutinery and a Donair from the Donair truck. There was also a Jamaican Jerk truck and mini donuts available. Depending what you are in the mood for you can expect to spend from $5 per corn dog, up to $26 for a full Jamaican Jerk Chicken meal. Not bad for festival food pricing!
We ate and then headed into the tulip fields behind us. Well, we thought we were in a tulip field…we didn’t realize that Onos Farms also has Daffodils and Hyacinths in bloom! We started in the Hyacinth rows and were in awe of the gorgeous, massive blooms all around us.
These flowers are so pretty. They have random pops of single-color tulips throughout the rows. Obviously, some stray seeds blew through during planting. Those couple pops of color made these white Hyacinth and yellow Daffodil rows almost magical in their simplicity.
At the end of the hyacinths, we turned to the tulips. First, we saw the purple tulips. Then, we moved on to the white and pink ones. After that, we admired the reds and oranges. Finally, we observed the whites and yellows. Every color you can think all around you in these fields. They were stunning!
There are so many interesting photo opportunities throughout the walkways. It is easy to see why this is a favorite location for Instagram users and photographers! You can get photos in old cars, wooden swings, a mini windmill modeled from Holland. Take a seat and play a song at an old piano in the back field. Take a wander through the paths of the tulips for a simple colorful backdrop. Or take a seat on one of the many benches for a resting pose.
We wandered the fields for a while before turning back to the main entrance. There, they have a little garden set up to show all those tulips on a much smaller scale. They call this area the secret garden. You’ll find little fairy doors with fairy dust scattered throughout the walkways. There are a few bistro tables. You can converse with your fairy guides there. You will also find a few structural photo opportunities with the Onos farms frames. Another wooden swing is available in the area. A little cottage sits in the middle. Both give you lots of opportunities to snag that perfect Tulip pose.
Skye was quite content to rest among the lavender in the garden before we went into the Farm store. The Farm store is where the festival comes to an end. It is where you find all sorts of tulip inspired gifts and products. Some local artisan work, candles, honey, a little creamery. All local farm goods. And if you want to take some tulips home you can pick up some fresh cut ones here! Or one that will last a little longer – a wooden tulip!
While not the most exciting adventure we have ever had, this adventure was an easy Sunday stroll in the garden. Just what we needed after the first half of our weekend took an unexpected detour.
If you are looking for an escape from chaos, or an opportunity to sit among the flowers this weekend, check out the Harrison Tulip Festival! Take your time when you visit the tulips. Stop and enjoy those gorgeous flowers while you wander the field with your pup!
And don’t forget to welcome Spring with a sniff and a smile!
No Spring day, that feels like a summer day, is complete without some ice cream! We stopped off at the Island Farms Kent Ice Cream in Chilliwack on our way home. Mmmmm so yummy! Skye got a few licks in herself!
If you want to check out the festival you better hurry down! The Harrison Tulip festival ends May 4 (possibly the 11th depending on what is still in bloom)!
Have you visited a Tulip festival this Spring? We would love to hear your experiences!
ASR Adventures 