Traveler staffer Kimberly Ann Calder is taking her time to stop and smell the roses--literally--and brings us the best flower festivals happening this month.
Although the April showers have continued into May here in D.C., this month is here to greet us with some of the greatest flower festivals, which will help you smell-a-brate...er...I mean, celebrate spring's arrival in the best possible way.
Lilacs
Lilac Festival: May 8-17
Rochester, New York is home to the 10-day Lilac Festival, largest in the U.S. and free of charge. Highland Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, has over 1,200 lilac bushes in more than 500 varieties spread out over 22 acres, with colors ranging from the richest purples to the most delicate of whites. The festival draws nearly 400,000 visitors each year and includes a parade, concerts, arts and crafts shows, and concludes with the annual Lilac 10K road race and 5K Family Fun Run.
Spokane Lilac Festival: May 16
Spokane, Washington has been dubbed "Lilac City" because of the lilac bushes dotting the landscape. Lilac Garden, at Manito Park, is completely devoted to lilacs and is one of the main focal points of the festival due to the wonderful fragrance wafting throughout the garden. The grand parade starts at 7:45 a.m. on Saturday and nearby events include a car show, music, food, and other for entertainment the remainder of the day.
The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival: June 5-14
This Island, off the coast of Michigan in Lake Huron, is a National Historic Landmark. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the island, but with bike, horse, and Rollerblade rentals available right off the ferry, you can access much of the charm that this pedestrian island has to offer. This ten-day festival offers events such as food and wine tastings; gardening and lilac tending classes; a dog and pony show; live entertainment; a 10K run around the island; and the culminating event, the Grand Parade.
Ranunculus
The Flower Fields, now until May 10
The ranunculi are in full bloom in southern California. Nearly fifty acres make up the spectacular display of color draped over the rolling hills in Carlsbad, California. Visitors are encouraged to walk through the fields, take pictures, and enjoy the vibrant beauty up close.
Iris
The Tennessee Iris Festival: April 25-May 2
Dresden, located between Nashville and Memphis, is home to the biggest Iris show in the country. The official opening ceremonies start at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday but every day is packed with activities like the NASCAR Experience, bingo, tasting parties, a carnival, concerts, a parade, a 5K race, a flower show, and of course plenty of Irises.
Although the April showers have continued into May here in D.C., this month is here to greet us with some of the greatest flower festivals, which will help you smell-a-brate...er...I mean, celebrate spring's arrival in the best possible way. Lilacs
Lilac Festival: May 8-17
Rochester, New York is home to the 10-day Lilac Festival, largest in the U.S. and free of charge. Highland Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, has over 1,200 lilac bushes in more than 500 varieties spread out over 22 acres, with colors ranging from the richest purples to the most delicate of whites. The festival draws nearly 400,000 visitors each year and includes a parade, concerts, arts and crafts shows, and concludes with the annual Lilac 10K road race and 5K Family Fun Run.
Spokane Lilac Festival: May 16
Spokane, Washington has been dubbed "Lilac City" because of the lilac bushes dotting the landscape. Lilac Garden, at Manito Park, is completely devoted to lilacs and is one of the main focal points of the festival due to the wonderful fragrance wafting throughout the garden. The grand parade starts at 7:45 a.m. on Saturday and nearby events include a car show, music, food, and other for entertainment the remainder of the day.
The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival: June 5-14
This Island, off the coast of Michigan in Lake Huron, is a National Historic Landmark. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the island, but with bike, horse, and Rollerblade rentals available right off the ferry, you can access much of the charm that this pedestrian island has to offer. This ten-day festival offers events such as food and wine tastings; gardening and lilac tending classes; a dog and pony show; live entertainment; a 10K run around the island; and the culminating event, the Grand Parade.
Ranunculus
The Flower Fields, now until May 10
The ranunculi are in full bloom in southern California. Nearly fifty acres make up the spectacular display of color draped over the rolling hills in Carlsbad, California. Visitors are encouraged to walk through the fields, take pictures, and enjoy the vibrant beauty up close.
Iris
The Tennessee Iris Festival: April 25-May 2
Dresden, located between Nashville and Memphis, is home to the biggest Iris show in the country. The official opening ceremonies start at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday but every day is packed with activities like the NASCAR Experience, bingo, tasting parties, a carnival, concerts, a parade, a 5K race, a flower show, and of course plenty of Irises.
TulipsTulip Time: May 2-9
Visit Holland, Michigan to tiptoe through some of the six million tulips that line this Dutch-settled city. This community-wide celebration is notable not only because it is the largest tulip festival in the United States but because they recreate old-fashioned Dutch traditions, like giving the city streets a "Dutch cleaning" before the grand parade. This celebration continues with daily activities such as klompen dancers, town crier competitions, concerts, quilt shows, tours, and a carnival.
Canadian Tulip Festival: May 1-18
This 18-day event in Ottawa, Ontario, is brimming with activities such as a vintage carnival, an interactive circus school, international food tasting, live music performances, and more than 100,000 tulips to view. New this year, Major's Hill Park will showcase the Canadian Tulip Festival's "Green Tulip Initiative." This initiative encourages all visitors to celebrate Mother Nature by biking or walking to the festival, limiting their garbage while there, and educating attendees about greener alternatives for daily life.
Rose
Portland Rose Festival: May 22 to June 14
Sneaking in just before spring ends and summer officially begins, The Portland Rose Festival is one of the most renowned festivals, in fact, in 2007 it was named the Best Festival in the World. Over two million people attend this festival each year and with all the energy and activities, it's easy to see why. Festivities include a Grand Floral Parade (with floats bedecked in flowers), the Rose Cup amateur road races, live musical performances, fireworks displays, and plenty of children's adventures at The WaMu Waterfront Village.
Photos: Miguel Samper and Rosemary Kimmel
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Wow!!! That’s amazing picture.
Shail
Agra India
I like Lilacs more. Nice photo
Iowa has two tulip festivals in May. Pella's Tulip Time May 7-9 (www.pellatuliptime.com) and the Orange City Tulip Festival May 14-16 (www.octulipfestival.com. Both events are wonderful celebrations of the Dutch heritage in each community.
The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in Wash. state is technically the month of April, but you can still see some gorgeous tulips in early May.
Yeah! I definitely agree, April Showers Bring May Flowers, and the flowers that they harvest must be use in Festival in different places this May.
-krisha-
Thank you so much for giving our annual lilac festival such a nice mention. We really apprectiate it.
Best,
Mary
Wow! those flowers looks very attractive and colorful. i wish i could see some of those flowers in festival. i love those tulips flowers. it refresh me whenever i saw that. thanks for sharing this. keep posting!
-khatie-
I would love to have a green room. I am a first time mother and I have an eight month old. I work at Narconon drug rehab five days a week and can't seem to find the time to spend in a garden or green room. I feel like I can't even find enough time to spend with my son much less an extracurricular activity. Does anyone have any pointers as to how I can manage all the above better?
My favorite is lilac mmmmm... smells awesome...