This weekend, thousands of visitors from across the region will descend upon Albany’s Washington Park to welcome spring at the city’s 59th annual Tulip Festival.
Featuring live music, food, activities for kids and, of course, hundreds of thousands of tulips, the 2007 Tulip Festival has something for everyone.
Tulip Festival weekend is always an exciting time in our city. From the annual street scrubbing on Friday to the festival’s closing hours on Mother’s Day, this event draws thousands of people from near and far, said Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings. `I encourage everyone to visit our beautiful and historic Washington Park which will be brimming with fun and entertainment for all ages.`
The event kicks off at 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 11, with a carillon concert, followed by the traditional Dutch street scrubbing at noon. A reservation-only luncheon and fashion show at 12:30 p.m. bids farewell to last year’s Tulip Queen, Amanda Benincasa, and her court. Beginning at 5:30 p.m. that evening, Washington Park will be the scene of the festival’s official kick-off party, which will feature acoustic entertainment by the Empire State Wind Orchestra, Ramblin’ Jug Stompers and Ten27. Food and beverages will be available.
Things start up again Saturday, May 12, at 10:30 a.m. with events leading up to the 2007 Tulip Queen’s coronation at noon.
At 12:30 p.m., Saturday’s rock heavy main stage shows get under way.
`As always, there’s fantastic entertainment on all the stages,` said Susan Cleary, the city’s director of special events.
Saturday will feature performances from several artists, including the legendary Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, known for their hit, `I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll.` Other acts on Saturday include Buddahead, The Cinematics and Under the Influence of Giants.
At the same time, the amphitheater stage will feature performances of blues, bluegrass, jazz and party songs.
Saturday events wrap up with the Royal Tulip Ball, an evening of dining and dancing to honor the Tulip Queen and court. Tickets are required.
On Sunday, Mother’s Day, the main stage musical selections mellow down a bit, featuring a performance by jazz musician Chris Botti. The eighth annual Mother of the Year award will be presented by Bellevue Women’s Hospital.
Over at the amphitheater, audiences can enjoy performances by Lara Herscovitch, Johanna, Mudfunk and rock band Stephen Kellogg and The Sixers.
On both Saturday and Sunday, in addition to the music, the Tulip Festival will host more than 100 crafters from all along the Eastern Seaboard, a fine arts show and a KidZone area featuring a stage and tent area. KidZone will have face painters, design-a-doll activities, magic shows and the Tri-City Valley Cats.
And the event’s namesake ` the tulips ` should be popping up for a visit.
This year, the city planted 207,000 tulip bulbs. Cleary said due to the cooler weather, they have gotten a really good start.
`It looks like we’re in really good shape for the festival this year,` she said. `We’re nicely on schedule.`
During the festival’s 59 years, the event has taken on a new identity.
`Over the years, it has become a rite of spring in the area,` said Cleary.
`It began as a celebration of Albany’s Dutch heritage,` she said, citing the festival’s traditional practice of scrubbing the streets before an event ` women even scrub in traditional Dutch dress, all the way down to the wooden shoes.
`One of the nice things about (the Tulip Festival) is the basic framework of the event is basically the same, we just change the core of what goes into it,` said Cleary.
Visitors who come year after year can still `expect great new things as they’re walking through,` she added.
Cleary said the Tulip Festival, which draws anywhere from 80,000 to 100,000 people, is one of the city’s annual marquee events.
`It’s the largest outdoor festival the city puts on,` said Cleary. `We’re looking forward to a great three-day event.` “