The town's Dutch roots were planted in 1847, when a group of 800 immigrants, led by the Rev. Hendrik Pieter Scholte, left the Netherlands in search of religious freedom in America. From the very beginning, people here have had a shared sense of community and working together for the common good. We're still benefiting from that heritage today. Now in its 65th year, the festival depends solely on the work of volunteers to organize the events, which include a parade, musical and dance performances, historical tours, and the traditional street scrubbing to prepare for the Tulip Queen and her court. But the spirit of community also shows itself year-round.
People here pull together for the good of the town.
The block-long canal, a replica of a Dutch waterway, will be landscaped with tulip bulbs, lined with shops, and spanned by footbridges. It also may be used for winter ice skating. Pella's Dutch heritage has shaped the town in large and small ways. Just down the street lies the Historical Village, where 21 restored buildings tell the story of the town. Ethnic bakeries sell such traditional treats as Dutch letters, a flaky pastry with an apple filling, while outside the passing hours are chimed by the town's Klokkenspel.