Each May, the Canadian Tulip Festival attracts people from around the world to come celebrate the start of spring and the tulip, an international symbol of peace, friendship and sacrifice, since 1953. From May 10th to the 20th, over 650,000 people will be visiting Ottawa to create new memories at the events and attractions taking place at this year’s Tulip Festival.
The festival was established in honor of the historic Royal gift of tulips from the Dutch to Canadians right after the Second World War due to the key role Canadians played in liberating the Netherlands. The tulips also commemorate the birth of Dutch Princess Margriet in Ottawa during World War II—the only royal ever born in Canada.
As part of this year’s launch, Bloomex, Canada’s largest florist, is gifting custom tulip bouquets to each of Canada’s premiers, as well as arrangements to Mayor Jim Watson, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Governor General and the Dutch Ambassador.
“We are very proud to be designing such unique gifts as Official Florist of the Canadian Tulip Festival,” says Sue McDonald, Director of Public Relations and Corporate Sponsorship at Bloomex Canada. “Our florists have worked on designs incorporating different varieties and shades of tulips in a beautiful tribute to the Festival. We can’t wait to send them out!”
Bloomex will be providing tulips for special displays on site at the new Tulip Pavilion where there will be hands-on gardening sessions, a sustainable agriculture display and a virtual reality installation that takes attendees through the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the country’s renowned Tulip Fields. In addition, Bloomex will honour the Royal Canadian Legion by donating 500 tulips to the Veteran’s Day celebrations on May 14th at Beechwood Cemetery.
“The festival is a special tradition in Canada, celebrating an important part of our history and the peace and friendship that tulips represent,” says McDonald. “We’re so happy to be part of it again in 2019. It’s especially important to recognize and honour the sacrifices made by our Canadian Forces. We are proud to help sponsor the Veteran’s Day event.”
Finally, the Canadian Tulip Festival and Bloomex are providing a special Tulip Celebration bouquet available for purchase at Bloomex.ca, with a portion of each sale going to support The Royal Canadian Legion.
“We are delighted to be working once again with Bloomex as our Official Floral Supplier,’ says Jo Riding, General Manager, Canadian Tulip Festival. “Their generosity towards our honorary veterans and official memorial services, as well as their creative touches in our Festival presentations, are truly priceless.”
Much like the tulips themselves, the festival is blooming with things to see and do! Discover the Festival’s roots and travel through time at the Canadian Tulip Festival’s Heritage Pavilion. An outdoor patio will provide comfortable seating, a place for people to enjoy meals from a wide range of Gourmet Food Trucks available throughout Commissioners Park. Guests are also welcome to experience Dutch storytelling, theatre and music. Boardwalk bands will take place multiple times throughout the festival.
This May, celebrate the friendship forged between the Netherlands and Canada due to the sacrifices made for one another during the Second World War at the Canadian Tulip Festival. Admission to Commissioners Park (open daily from 9am-9pm) and the Tulip Plaza & Festival Pavilions are free of charge.