Fest organizers watching weather, expecting late-April opening for fest featuring 1 million blooms in more than 30 varieties
SPRING GROVE — Whether one strolls, strides, rolls, dances or tiptoes through the tulips, the shades of eye-popping color all around will be sure to delight at this spring’s Richardson Farm Tulip Festival.
Exactly when the fifth annual event will open at 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove, is, as always, up to Mother Nature, the Richardsons said, noting their best current guess is between Friday, April 18, and Friday, April 25.
“We’re kind of right in line with where we were last year, when we opened April 20,” said George Richardson, who operates the farm along with his wife, Wendy, brother, Robert, Robert’s wife, Carol, George’s son, Ryan, and Ryan’s wife, Kristen. “Those who visit can expect an especially brilliant array, with blocks of flowers more densely packed.”
To stay up to date on the latest farm news, visit the Richardson Farm website at richardsonfarm.com, click on the Richardson Tulip Festival button and sign up for the newsletter under the contact tab. Or, check out the Richardson “World’s Largest” Corn Maze Facebook page or follow richardsonadventurefarm on Instagram.
Those who do any or all of the above will be among the first to be alerted to the first day to take in 10 acres of tulips in more than 30 varieties — from Allison Bradley (red) and Avignon (peach) to Zantuyell (light orange) and Zantupur (purplish pink). Daffodil fans also will find flowers to fawn over, as 50,000 more of these predominantly yellow spring beauties have been added to the roughly 1 million anticipated tulip blooms.
“The colors are so magnificent,” said Robert Richardson, who first broached the idea of adding the tulip festival to the Richardson Farm lineup of events back in 2019. “It’s so fun to look forward to.”
George Richardson added that the yellow pomponettes are among his favorites.
“They are absolutely gorgeous,” he said. “They have double the petals and a magnificent scent.”
Along with taking in the spring blooms — which offer breathtaking photo opportunities — visitors can enjoy live music on weekends, food trucks, lakeside picnic areas and outdoor games like giant Jenga, giant checkers and bag toss. A spacious, well-stocked gift shop will be open daily throughout the festival, with a wine-tasting bar featuring Prairie State Wines. Modern restroom facilities are located at the shop as well.
New at the gift shop this year will be mimosas for sale in a commemorative glass to sip while shopping, available on weekends, Wendy Richardson said. She added that the same shop will feature tulip bulbs in the fall that correlate to the ones now emerging in the fields.
“If visitors see a particular flower that they love this spring, they should make a note of the variety so they can come buy some bulbs in the fall,” she said.
During the fest, visitors can expect to find lots of tulip-related items in the gift shop, including everything from leather key chains and purses from Holland to potted, tabletop tulips.
Once opened, the fest typically lasts two to three weeks. Hours are expanded this year, opening one hour earlier, at 10 a.m., and remaining open until 6:30 p.m. The gift shop, too, will open earlier, at 9:30 a.m., closing at 7 p.m. Admission will be $16 per person, all ages, Tuesdays through Fridays, and $19 on Saturdays and Sundays for those 13 and older. The cost for those ages 4 through 12 on Saturdays and Sundays is $16. Ages 3 and younger are admitted free. The fest is pet-friendly; leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome.
All paying visitors receive one free tulip with admission.
Richardson Farm also is home to the “World’s Largest” Corn Maze and Adventure Farm plus Sunflower Fields in the fall, and a cut-your-own Christmas Tree Farm in the winter. Professional, compensated photographers should view the Photography & Filming page at richardsonfarm.com before visiting.