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.

“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.

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