Ottawa’s annual Tulip Festival has returned with another batch of lovely tulips.
On Thursday, May 11, the 25 degree weather and stunning display of blooming flowers brought together individuals from all walks of life.
This year, the Tulip Festival is taking place over ten days leading up to Victoria Day weekend.
As the largest public tulip display in the world, the Tulip Festival is a popular destination for both tourists and locals. For students, the Tulip Festival is a sweet spot to socialize, maximize photo opportunities and enjoy the sunshine.
Abby Nickel, Kay Giffen and Jen Batmen are recent graduates from Clarkson University who travelled to Ottawa to take their graduation photos at the Tulip Festival.
“We planned to get some flowers into our shots and incorporate them into this [trip],” said Nickel.
“It’s super nice to be around a new atmosphere because we went to school in upstate New York,” added Batmen. “It’s so beautiful here and everyone is so nice as well. We just love to visit.”
Many are experiencing the Tulip Festival for the first time this year.
Stephanie Maclean and her young sons travelled across Ottawa to experience the festival.
“We love it! We chose today because it would be a bit more lowkey before the big opening,” said Maclean.
“Our favourite part has got to be the flowers themselves,” she added. “All three of my sons have been completely captivated by them.”
Others have attended the festival many times. For David and Denise Willis, the Tulip Festival is a yearly tradition.
“This has got to be our twentieth time coming back here,” said David Willis.
“We keep coming back because the flowers are so beautiful,” Denice Willis said.
But it’s not just the flora that keep the Willis pair returning.
“I’m here for the dogs,” David Willis added. ”I love them.”
The couple was thrilled to see many smiling and friendly faces after long months of COVID-19 isolation.
“Since COVID happened, there’s not much we can do now except for outside activities. So this is something we’ve really looked forward to,” Denise Willis said.
Since the Second World War, the Canadian Tulip Legacy has cared for the millions of tulips planted annually in Ottawa.
The charity commemorates the birth of Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet and the sacrifice of Canadian soldiers in the liberation of the Netherlands.
Featured image by Cassandra Bellefeuille.
