Tulip time is upon us again.
The colors are just starting to show in the Skagit Valley, and in the coming weeks of April full blooms will spring out and draw an expected one million visitors.
If they are anything like last year's season, they will be well worth the journey to Mount Vernon and environs.
The most popular way to visit is on your own by automobile, cruising the country roads between the fields.
Stops can be made at the four major gardens for a small price, and you can get out, stretch your legs and carefully wander through the fields snapping pictures.
Or you can go the easy route and visit by tour.
You can reach Shutter Tours at (425) 516-8838, and Skagit Valley Guided Adventures by website for tours at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Some parks departments offer tours as well, such as Federal Way for seniors age 50 and over and inclusions, but they fill up fast.
The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival runs an office and website with information on all of the above and more year round.
It runs seven days per week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in April and Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the rest of the year.
It is located at 311 W. Kincaid Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. It can be reached at P.O. Box 1784, by phone at (360) 428-5959 or by e-mail at info@tulipfestival.org.
The four major gardens are RoozenGaard at 50 acres, Tulip Town at 18 acres, Tulip Valley Farms at 12 acres and Garden Rosalyn at seven acres.
Garden Rosalyn costs $15 to tour, while Roozengaard is $17 weekdays and $18 weekends. Tulip Valley Farms checks in at $19.50 and Tulip Town at $20.
All but Garden Rosalyn offer discounts if you register online ahead of time.
How to get there:
Take Mount Vernon exit 225 or 226 off Interstate 5 and follow the Tulip Festival signs out to the area of the farms.
They are all located just south of State Route 20.
Photos by Jeff Clinton and text by Tim Clinton.
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