In May, the Canadian Tulip Festival will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the gift of tulips from the Netherlands royalty following the Second World War as thanks to the Canadian troops. The 2020 edition of the popular festival will include programming marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands and friendly Dutch-Canadian relations across the years.
The Tulip Festival, which will run from May 8 to 18, 2020, will kick off with an opening-day air show that recalls the efforts of Canadian military personnel who fought in World War II. May 8 also marks the anniversary of VE Day, and there will be a special fireworks tribute that night. The event will include the Victoria Day fireworks gala on May 17 and will conclude with the Closing Day Flotilla, during which Canadian Armed Forces members lead a parade in the historical Rideau Canal.
The colorful blooms will be on display in a number of gardens at Commissioner’s Park, where the 11-day celebration is based. Local visual and performing artists are highlighted through the event’s Art in the Tulips and Music & Tulips programming. As part of the former, paintings and other art installments are placed amid the tulip beds while Music & Tulips includes a minimum of three concerts each day that showcases top vocalists and instrumentalists.
Attendees also can check out the event’s signature pavilions, which for 2020 will include the Tulip Pavilion, the Heritage Pavilion, and the new Future Pavilion.
To learn more, contact Kelly Dean of Ottawa Tourism or go to tulipfestival.ca.
Top photo by CC Flickr/guilhermetardin/bit.ly/34EZRrI
