Oregon: Woodburn – Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival

Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm is set deep in Oregon’s fertile Willamette Valley 45 minutes south of Portland. Every year from the end of March to early May the farm holds a spectacular tulip festival. Whilst to most people the tulip is the humblest of plants and a herald of spring, it is capable of putting on the greatest of shows. When we went to the festival this spring it was a grey, damp day with low clouds hanging over the tulip fields. Even this weather was not able to dim the dazzling display of tulips.

The fields at the tulip festival are a blaze of colours; yellows, reds, whites and purples in a multitude of shades. It is incredible. It is not just the blankets of colours that are amazing it is the variety of shapes of the flower head that are equally stunning.

Wooden Shoe Farm puts on a show beyond the fields of brightly coloured tulips. There are tethered hot air balloon rides for everyone to enjoy, with the vibrant fabrics and balloon’s envelope blending sympathetically with blooms. The festival looks to create a vintage carnival atmosphere with pony rides, a craft fair, wooden shoe making demonstrations, classic kids activities and my particular favourite steam tractors.

If you find yourself in the northern reaches of western Oregon in the spring then I can highly recommend a visit to the tulip festival at Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm.