Tulips begin to bloom in Pella
PELLA, Iowa — Forget Groundhog Day or Daylight Saving Time, the real sign of spring here in Iowa is when the bright, colorful petals start to push through in Pella as the tulips begin to bloom.
Last week's warm weather brought several beds to show color. It's the spring cheer everyone looks forward to this time of year.
'I think it really just brightens everybody's mood and Tulip Time is something that we really, here in Pella, can all unify around. And so that first pop of color is exciting for everybody, no matter who you are. You see that and everyone's there with their camera. They want to get that picture. It's, it's a really a harbinger of spring,' Executive Director of Pella Historical Museums Jessi Gallian said.
Iowa family's shoe store celebrating a century in business
'Yes, it looks very bright and beautiful especially since our weather has been jumping around from cold to hot,' Pella visitor Milana said. 'So seeing flowers is really nice. It's a reminder that summer is coming and the cold is over.'
This color means that the countdown is on for the 90th annual Tulip Time Festival happening in Pella May 1-3.
'It's amazing to see this community festival have such longevity,' Gallian said. 'So we're happy no matter when they're blooming. So it's exciting. It's a little stressful, but at the end of the day we will have a beautiful long bloom season.'
The Pella Parks Department planted over 120,000 different tulips, 250 beds all across the city.
If you want to come visit and see the tulips, you can check out where they're blooming, where they're colorful, on a map at cityofpella.com.
Iowa News:
Iowa House not moving forward with bill shielding pesticide companies from health-related lawsuits
Tulips begin to bloom in Pella
Iowa AG warns your genetic data could be at risk
Fan-favorite donut vendor won't return to Iowa State Fair in 2025
WHO 13 Farm Report: Thursday, April 3
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Major crackdown coming to Aussie travel hotspot amid surge in illegal camping
Authorities in one of the country's most popular travel destinations are preparing for a more coordinated crackdown on illegal camping ahead of the 2025–26 summer season. It follows a noticeable spike in unauthorised stays and local complaints during peak tourism months. The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River council, south of Perth, said the new approach will see rangers working more closely with Western Australia's Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), to crack down on illegal camping, bad behaviour and littering. "DBCA faces similar peak season challenges as the Shire — managing larger areas, multiple responsibilities and limited resources," Shire President Andrea Selvey said this week. '"To protect our region's unique environment, we're working more closely with DBCA and plan to coordinate our response to peak season in future. We're also engaging with the community to identify measures to address illegal camping and increased day use at popular sites." A Shire representative told Yahoo News on Wednesday further details would become available in the coming months. The move comes amid growing community frustration over the environmental and social impacts of illegal camping, which has in the past included increased public defecation and heightened fire risks. Despite the problem, WA's Parks and Wildlife Service reportedly issued fines in fewer than 10 per cent of its interactions with campers last summer, prompting renewed scrutiny of enforcement practices. Back in February, Yahoo News reported on locals' frustration over what they described as a lack of action in managing the annual surge. After the Shire posted to social media urging tolerance and environmental responsibility among residents, locals hit back and argued that the call for responsibility should be directed at visitors, not the rate-payers. "It's like Groundhog Day at the Shire. Every year, without fail, the issue of illegal camping, waste disposal, sanitation and bushfire risk catches the Shire by 'surprise'. It's long past due that the Shire got proactive and managed this annual problem," one passionate man wrote. "It's not the Shire residents causing the issues, it's the travellers. They're the ones who need this message,' a local woman said, adding that most visitors likely don't follow the Shire's social media pages. The council said it is also working to involve the broader community, consulting locals to develop solutions around illegal camping and overcrowded day-use areas. A DBCA spokesperson said the department is committed to upholding the laws and preserving the area. "The department continues to work closely with stakeholders like the shire to strike the right balance between welcoming visitors, keeping them safe, and protecting the region's environmental and cultural values," the spokesperson said. Residents erupt at council as illegal tourist act soars Illegal camping spirals as council takes 'compassionate' approach Aussies warned over new $464 fine for 'common' camping act "Ahead of the 2025–26 peak visitation season, DBCA will continue to identify and implement compliance priorities and strategies, including focusing on illegal camping hotspots, coordinating efforts with local government, and disrupting large-scale illegal gatherings in collaboration with WA Police." The region, known for its natural beauty and growing popularity with tourists and van travellers, has faced increasing strain on public spaces, prompting mounting calls for clearer regulation, better signage, and more sustainable planning. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Iowa veteran passes halfway point on Appalachian Trail
WHO 13 NEWS — Iowa veteran Joedy VanValzen is officially halfway done hiking the Appalachian Trail. He cruised past the mental halfway point in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia a couple weeks ago. Last week, he completed 1,100 miles and made it to Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Pennsylvania, the actual physical halfway point. Celebrated comedian bringing 2025 tour to Des Moines this fall VanVelzen took a few days off from the trail when his wife, Deb, came to visit him so he could rest and be ready to go for the second half of the journey. She brought him a new pair of shoes, his fourth pair on the trail. Photos posted to his Facebook page, On the Appalachian Trail with Joedy, show VanVelzen's break was fueled by sweet treats, juicy burgers, and cold beverages. He was back to hiking through the southern part of Pennsylvania on Sunday, June 1. Back in March, VanVelzen started the nearly 2,200-mile expedition in Georgia. He has fewer than 1,100 miles to go until the end of the trail in Maine. Iowa News: Julie Stauch announces run for Iowa governor Iowa veteran passes halfway point on Appalachian Trail Newton nonprofit holds fundraiser to install safe haven baby box Storms move in, along with cooler air Miguel Angel Jimenez wins playoff in Iowa for 3rd PGA Tour Champions victory of the year Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Pleasant Hill construction will cause detours for DART State Fair Shuttle at SEP
PLEASANT HILL, Iowa — Construction in Pleasant Hill is causing detours for residents, and soon DART will be feeling the effects. The closure on Parkridge Avenue focuses on storm sewer and water main construction and is expected to run until the end of September. That means the project will still be ongoing during the Iowa State Fair, causing some changes for DART's Park & Ride service that picks up fair-goers at Southeast Polk High School. In 2024, DART provided more than 270,000 trips to and from the Iowa State Fair, with their SEP location accounting for more than 92,000 of those rides and making it their second busiest location. Leaders with DART say they're prepared to avoid the area, but due to the construction, rides could take a bit longer to and from the fairgrounds. Iowa to heat up even more before rain chances Thursday to the north 'Due to the construction and having to take a little bit of a different route, we do expect that the buses will take a little bit longer this year, so there might be some slight delays for those who are riding with us, but overall I think it will be very manageable … We are already well underway with our preparations, planning with our teams, coordinating with the city of Pleasant Hill and others to make sure we can offer another great fair experience for folks,' said Luis Montoya, Chief Planning and Operating Officer for DART. For the detour, DART will be utilizing University Avenue, going South on US 65, getting off at Vandalia to get downtown and drop fair-goers off at Gate 10 at East 30th Street. Metro News: Pleasant Hill construction will cause detours for DART State Fair Shuttle at SEP Six small businesses get impact loans from City of Des Moines ARL sees rise in highly contagious canine virus in Des Moines Des Moines officer was 'legally justified' in March shooting of assault suspect, county attorney says Scholastic Spotlight: Waukee's baby chicks Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
