Escapees March-April 2023

skp stops

Celebrating Dutch Heritage In Pella, Iowa Pella Historical Society O ffi ce in the Vermeer Windmill, 507 Franklin St., Pella, Iowa 50219, 641-620-9463, www.pellahistorical.org

You can go to the Tulip Toren (a Dutch word for tower) that is located between Washington and Franklin Streets in Central Park, and even sit in the bleachers to be introduced to the new Queen and her court. You can hear the clop-clop of the wooden shoes as the Dutch Dancers dance in a style that is similar to clogging. Thousands of people, in Dutch attire, scrub the streets before the parade. The parade begins at 2:30 and a lighted volks (folk) parade begins at 8:30 for the three nights. You will see bands, fl oats and meet dignitaries such as the mayor, the new Queen and her court and even Sinter Klaus (The Dutch Santa Claus). From March to December you can visit the Dutch Historical Village, the founder’s home at the Scholte House, or take a tour of the Vermeer Windmill and see the architecture of many old-world houses. You’ll hear the Klokkenspel 147 carillon bells which also depicts eight mechanical fi gures. You can taste the ethnic food such as the bread made

You can see the charm of the Dutch com munity in Pella, Iowa, anytime between March and December but if you want to experience it fully, you need to go during the Tulip Festival, May 4–6, 2023. T housands of people participate in the celebration of their Dutch Heritage, wearing their traditional Dutch clothing, during the festival. All ages participate, from babies in the baby parade, to elementary school kids who march in the parade, to the teens who march in the bands and demonstrate Dutch dancing, to the future Queens and the mothers and grandmothers who were past Tulip Time Queens, to the adults who drive the fl oats.” Over 300,000 early, mid-season and late tulips are planted along the streets, in the Scholte Garden and the Sunken Gardens to ensure tulips are at the peak of their glory during the festival.

from grain that is ground by the 125 foot Vermeer windmill. The bakeries feature Dutch pastries such as cookies made with almond fi lling. From Wednesday to Saturday, you can visit Maria’s Tea Room for high tea and stories about the Scholte family. Only a 10-minute drive from Pella are three Army Corp of Engineer Parks where you can park your RV. Howell Station has 161 sites, North Overlook has 71 and Ivan has 20. Approximately 20 miles away you will fi nd Robert’s Creek Campground West with 65 sites and Roberts Creek East with 55. These campgrounds were formed from the area when the dam was built for the Des Moines River to make Red Rock Lake. (Price in 2022: $14–$22.) More photos and true stories can be found in my book, “Callie and Natalie’s Dutch Family History,” (youtu.be/eQplJ8P 4dtA) available at the Vermeer Windmill, Pella Books, Amazon and at https://publi cationconsultants.com/product/callie-and natalies-dutch-family-history/. Article and photo by Darlene Miller #50781

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ESCAPEES Magazine March/April 2023