Tulipmania 2008
South Lincolnshire and The Fens Tulipmania Festival.
Mid April to Mid May 2008
In support of the 50th Spalding Tulip Parade celebrations and to widen the interest for delegates to the World Tulip Summit, all of the towns and villages throughout South Lincolnshire and the Fens will be invited to participate in the ‘TulipMania’ Festival.
Plans include:
* Tulips on Display
– tulips have been planted out on roundabouts as a colourful welcome to visitors. In Spalding itself both Springfields Festival Gardens and Ayscoughfee Gardens will feature major tulip displays. Taylors Bulbs have a special tulip field display on the A17 with some varieties not seen in the UK before.
* Tulip Walks
– walks will be mapped out in towns and villages including Spalding, Holbeach, Donington, Long Sutton and Crowland. These walks are being co-ordinated by the South Holland in Bloom Group and will give visitors the opportunity to take some light exercise whilst at the same time enjoying the tulip displays set in gardens and at the front of buildings.
* Sport and Leisure
– whilst some of these activities are still in the planning stage it is hoped that one of the key events to attract professional and leisure bike riders will be a “TulipMania Cyclo-Sportif” around the area, which will be organised with the support of British Cycling.
* Tulip Arts
– there will be a number of Tulip Arts events and activities including a competition and exhibition organised by the Welland Gallery in Spalding. School children will be involved in their own art events as well as local artists creating special paintings for display (and sale). There will also be music, dance and theatre events.
* Creative Tulips
– a display of traditional English Florists’ Tulips will be presented by the Wakefield & North of England Tulip Society and also a “TulipMania” Flower Arranging Display hosted in conjunction with the British Flowers & Plants Association. These are just two of the special tulip events which are directed towards tulip enthusiasts and flower lovers.
* Lifestyle and Community
– there is an open invitation to all community groups, clubs and associations for them to organise celebration events of their own, particularly related to the region’s tulip growing history and heritage.
* Church Tours
- churches throughout the region will be creating their own displays and as well as welcoming individual visitors, there is an opportunity for groups with a special interest in churches to create their own tours either just for the day or including an overnight stay.
As well as the events being considered by the organisers, it is expected that pubs, cafes and restaurants will offer special ‘TulipMania’ menus and that civic, corporate and even national buildings will join in the celebrations by planting out their own tulip displays.
More information on Tulip Summit 2008 can be found here
