The Midwest Tulip Fest at Kuipers Household Farm is a toddler’s paradise.
A number of tots, not a lot taller than the long-stemmed flowers, have been fortunately making the most of their proximity to the vegetation Saturday.
Among the many explorers was 2-year-old Evie Geem, of Vernon Hills, who was noticed amongst a row of darkish pink beauties that just about matched her outfit.
“She loves it,” stated her mom, Jennifer Chan, 41. “She was smelling all of them.”
One other adventurer was 2-year-old Lila De Leon, of Bolingbrook, who was collaborating in a household picture shoot amongst vibrant, yellow “Large Smile” tulips. The baby additionally bravely mounted a inexperienced tractor — one of many many picture props on the 230-acre farm in Maple Park in Kane County.
“She’s simply been mentioning the colours to date,” stated her mom, Jessica De Leon, 32, who was wearing a placing conventional Vietnamese Áo dài gown for the event. The fest “is actually nice for household photos, and it’s good to sit down in nature for a bit bit.”
However flower-lovers might want to transfer quick. The fourth annual fest, which opened Wednesday, solely runs by way of mid-Might, relying on the blooming season. Not simply enjoyable for the children, the occasion showcases 700,000 tulips, together with 30 varieties, unfold over 8 acres. And with meals, dozens of sights and dwell leisure, it’s simple to spend a full day on the farm with out becoming bored.
The Kuipers household, who’re of Dutch heritage, import tulip bulbs from the Netherlands and plant them round November. They bloom in levels starting in March (guests can monitor the development through the “Bloom-O-Meter” on the web site). This 12 months’s plantings embrace tomato-colored Crimson Impressions and purple and yellow Esta Bonita tulip varieties. Within the late-bloom stage, guests can count on to see darkish purple Paul Scherer tulips, a favourite of the farm’s normal supervisor, Joe Kuipers.
For $14.99, guests can seize a provider and pluck six to 10 tulips of their option to take residence.
The farm hasn’t felt the consequences of the Trump administration’s tariffs on imported merchandise, however the value of tulip bulbs has elevated on account of difficult rising situations, Kuipers stated.
“The Netherlands has had some laborious seasons,” he stated. “Final 12 months, we paid a bit over 17 cents a bulb, which doesn’t sound like a lot, however if you do the maths on 700,000, it provides up fairly fast.”
Tulips aren’t the Kuipers household’s solely crop, the farm can also be recognized for its pumpkins and apple orchard. Tulip fest guests can even see quite a lot of animals, together with chickens, rabbits, sheep, goats, an alpaca and a well-liked, shaggy Highland cow.
However the farm’s occasions are a major supply of earnings, Kuipers stated.
“Our crop is bringing an expertise to folks,” he stated.
On Saturday, folks posed for photos at picture stations that includes bikes, automobiles, a windmill home and even a large pair of clogs. Meals and beverage choices included Chick Fil-A, pizza, kettle corn, espresso, apple cider slushies, donuts and way more.
Youngsters had their alternative of leaping on a large inflatable pillow, crusing down the massive Tree High Tube Slide, climbing a mountain of tires or using in a prepare of automobiles pulled by a tractor.
However for some guests, the tulips are sufficient of a draw.
Tagging alongside along with her mom and brother, Natasha Markoutsis picked a batch of tulips, which she deliberate to show in her kitchen. She stated the fest acquired her excited for the hotter seasons.
“I’ll positively be posting them on like Instagram,” stated Markoutsis, 21, of Yorkville. “That is so cool. I had no concept we had a tulip farm in Illinois. It’s a hidden gem.”
