Last week I took the kids to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Fest, which has turned out to be an annual trip for us.

We arrived around 10:00 to quite a bit of fog. So, this year’s photos have gray sky to go along with the colorful tulips. By the time we left, though, the sun was starting to come out.

I enjoyed this wide open space with many raised beds of labeled tulips. I believe the layout is new this year.

The kids love the mud.

Top Left: Orange Emperor Tulip. Right: One of my favorites this year. Unfortunately, it was in a mixed row & not labeled specifically.

It was beautiful & I enjoyed it, as I always do.

But, I’m a bit spoiled.

I like to go when it’s me, my kids, the tulips & a few other visitors. I don’t need, or want, the hoopla or the crowds. This time it was rather crowded for a foggy Monday morning. And, much of the vendor stuff was open. I’m not there for the crowds, the crafts for sale, or the pony rides. I just want to go for a nice, beautiful walk with my kids.

I know the weekends are busy family friendly events with lots to do. Had I gone on a weekend, I would have went for that reason & enjoyed it. But, it’s not why I went & was a bit bummed by all the extra stuff. Each year it seems to get bigger & bigger… fest wise, not tulip wise.

Not a huge deal. I’m sure I will go back next year. I will just be more mentally prepared for the type of event we are attending.

Check out our other visits to the Tulip Festival:
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014

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2013 was, of course, another beautiful year at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Fest. This was my first time here with my new camera. I liked my photos from previous years, but these are a bit better quality. I notice the flowers are sharper & the sky isn’t washed out.

Top Right: This is always a great place to capture fun pics of my kids & nice shots of tulips. But, a person can only have so many pretty tulip photos, so I tried something different this year. I brought bubbles & bubble blowers (my children) to the tulips.

Bottom: The colors of these tulips are definitely one of my favorites.

Check out our other visits to the Tulip Festival:
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014

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The Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm puts on a fantastic spring show each year. In 2012, we actually went on a sunny day. It was a little too nice. My kids started complaining that they were hot 10 minutes after we arrived. I told them we drove too far to just turn around & go home. I wasn’t going home until I saw every last flower! My youngest wasn’t buying it. She didn’t care how far we drove. She was hot & cranky & wanted to go home. Unfortunately for her I don’t give in that easily & we stayed. The boys & I enjoyed the rainbow of color. When we were done, we hadn’t even drove out of the parking lot before she fell asleep. All the complaining must have wore her out.

Bottom Left: On weekends, there are games, rides, craft vendors & carnival type food. We’ve never gone on a weekend to experience all that. I prefer going on less crowded days.

Check out our other visits to the Tulip Festival:
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014

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Our 2011 trip to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Fest was just as beautiful as 2010. Rows & rows & rows of tulips – all kinds, all colors.

It is a great, cheap way to spend a couple hours. During the week they only charge $5 per carload. I spend more in gas than on admission. At the end of the row is the name of the tulip variety – just in case you want to purchase bulbs from their store. Although my kids did enjoy all the tulips, they soon found that jumping in the mud was a tad more fun. I was happy taking pics of the tulips, they were happy getting dirty. It was a perfect morning.

Left: As well as their gorgeous tulip fields they also have this beautiful garden.

Right: My favorite – these frilly tulips! Their online catalog calls them Fancy Frills.

Check out our other visits to the Tulip Festival:
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014

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The Wooden Shoe Tulip Fest has been open for many years, but 2010 was the first year I went to experience it. I enjoyed it so much, I keep going back year after year. I want to keep the previous years on my blog so I can see changes in the fields, changes in my photography skills & what caught my attention each year.

Top Left: Seeing this picture gets me all mushy inside. It is so typical of our youngest son. He loves flowers & he loves taking pictures. He has his own flower garden, but we just haven’t had much luck with it. We talked about it the other day & I suggested he plant bulbs for spring color. He chose tulips. I wonder if the Tulip Fest has anything to do with that decision?

Check out our other visits to the Tulip Festival:
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014

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