Beloved tulip festival returns to region this weekend

ALBANY, N.Y. >> The City of Albany will host the 69th Annual Albany Tulip Festival this weekend in Washington Park.

The Tulip Festival is Albany’s signature spring event, featuring annual traditions rooted in the city’s rich Dutch heritage.

The yearly event includes nearly 100 artisans selling their handmade crafts, a fine arts show, food vendors, a KidZone family fun destination, two stages of live entertainment and more than 140,000 tulips in 150 different varieties.

Since Mayor Erastus Corning II read the first Tulip Festival Proclamation on May 14, 1949, the Mother’s Day weekend celebration has grown into one of the Northeast’s biggest and most beloved an- nual events. Featuring area vendors, businesses, community organizations and original local artists on every stage, the Tulip Festival continues to honor Albany’s four centuries of history while looking ahead to its future.

All festivities will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday in Albany’s historic, 81- acre Washington Park.

As always, this event is free and open to the public.

Following the famous Tulip Queen Coronation ceremony with Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, Saturday’s main stage acts, presented by media sponsor 102.7 WEQX, are local rockers Wild Adriatic. Los Angelesbased pop duo The Palms and headliners Minus The Bear, an indie rock band from Seattle.

The Local 518 stage will feature artists Dryer, Cannon the Brave, Jasper and Maurizio.

Sunday’s entertainment lineup includes Holly and Evan, Erin Harkes and The Delfonics on the main stage.

On the local stage, after the 19th Annual Mother of the Year Award is presented, area acts Andrew Wheeler & Donna Marie Tritico, Sydney Worthley, Dyer Switch Band and The Ramblin’ Jug Stompers will provide entertainment.

This year’s Tulip Fest will also offer a pop-up se- cret garden library reading room by Albany Public Library, physical fitness activities, hands on crafts, a green market, a School of Rock tent, a cultural heritage station and more.

For further information on the 69th Annual Albany Tulip Festival, including a full schedule of Tulip Week events, visit www.albanyevents.org or follow albanyNYevents on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.