By CAITLIN MCARTHUR
OVER half a million tulips in flower will be just one of the highlights of the Tesselaar Tulip Festival which kicks off this spring.
The festival, which runs from 11 September to 7 October, features four weeks of themed days, garden displays, live bands and sculptor displays.
The weekends are alternately themed by Turkish, Dutch and Irish culture.
Seniors Week offers free entry for carers and a complimentary tea or coffee while Children’s Week features face painting, a Despicable Me 2 stage show and a petting zoo.
The food, wine and jazz weekend boasts the jazz tunes of John Morrison, Melbourne’s Moonee Valley Jazz Band and the Cheek to Cheek jazz trio with their baby Grand Piano.
Produce is sourced locally from the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges and entry to the food, wine and jazz weekend includes complimentary wine and beer tastings.
Home to the fifth richest sculpture prize, an exhibition of 25 sculptures will feature among the beds of tulips.
Other activities include petting alpacas, picking tulips and indulging in authentic Dutch treats.
The Tesselaar Tulip Festival is situated in the hills of Silvan on a 55-acre working farm. The festival opens at 10am and runs until 5pm every day.
Tickets can be bought online to avoid the queues at tulipfestival.com.au. Adults are $22, while concession is $18.
