HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD) — Tulip Time saw big crowds this year as it returned to a more regular schedule.
The event was cancelled in 2020 and scaled back last year because of the pandemic.
The heat caused challenges for the 2022 festival. The Tulip Immersion Garden, a new attraction, had to close early because the hot temperatures caused too much damage to the flowers, Tulip Time Executive Director Gwen Auwerda said.
“They don’t like 80 degree, 90 degree weather. Tulips prefer it to be about 40 at night, 60 to 70, maybe 80 during the day,” Auwerda said.
The organization is working on final numbers but saw attendance return to pre-pandemic levels.
“I do know that the carnival exceeded 2019 by 25 to 30%, so that was fabulous for them and it was packed everywhere in town,” Auwerda said.
Kevin Knight, the owner of Market Zero, said the festival definitely provided a boost as they worked to keep up with demand.
Market Zero in downtown Holland on May 16, 2022. 
Inside Market Zero in downtown Holland on May 16, 2022.
“It’s a huge kick off to your summer season,” Knight said. “Our fridges were completely full and got completely empty and completely full and completely empty, so it was about everything we could handle.”
The return of crowds could be good sign for other events coming back this summer, like the Festival of the Arts in Grand Rapids. Mark Azkoul, an organizer for the event that began in 1970, sees the success of Tulip Time as encouraging.
“We’ve been out for two years so this is a big thing for us and for the city to get Festival back up and going,” Azkoul said.
Organizers created the Plein Air event for 2021, which combined outdoor art and music.
The 2022 event runs June 3 through June 5. After taking a break because of the pandemic the festival needs extra help.
“A lot of people still don’t know yet festival is coming back, so we really want to get the word out. We need more volunteers,” Azkoul said.
People interested in volunteering can sign up on the Festival of the Arts website.