History of Skagit Valley Tulips Festival

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival was officially inaugurated in 1984 by the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce.  In 1994 the Tulip Festival broke off from the Chamber of Commerce and became an entity of its own.

From humble beginnings, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival grew. It moved from 3 days to 10, then 17 and now, for the past 5+ years, to 30 days. The expansion to 30 days was to ensure that the huge fields of tulips grown in Skagit Valley would actually bloom sometime during the festival, since a shorter festival sometime missed the blooming of the fields.

Today the festival boasts an amazing assortment of events -- art shows, gala celebrations, concerts, tours of local shellfish and cheese operations and an open house at PACCAR. Two signature events have grown along with the festival --the Downtown Mount Vernon Street Fair and the Kiwanis Salmon Barbecue – fundraisers for both organizations that have proven highly successful. There are lots of physical activities associated with the festival as well – a run, 20- 40- and 60-mile bike rides, and a youth basketball tournament.