Imagine rows and rows of colorful tulips against a backdrop of a blue, early-spring sky. Ribbons of yellow, orange, pink, and red stretch as far as the eye can see. The subtle scent of fragrant flowers hangs in the air, and individual tulip stems angle themselves with the sun. No, you’re not in Holland. You’re in Montevallo, Alabama at American Village’s annual Festival of Tulips.

Each spring, for the past five years, the American Village has hosted its Festival of Tulips when rows of blooms hit their peak and are ready to be picked. While the dates of the festival aren’t fixed (they depend on things like weather and temperature), this year’s tulip festival opened March 10 and typically lasts a few weeks until blooms run out.

Admission to the festival costs $5/person and tulips are $1.50/tulip + tax. Once admitted, you’re free to wander the fields and pick as many tulips as you’d like. The Festival of Tulips is open Mondays–Saturdays from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m.–4 p.m., as long as the flowers are in bloom and the weather is good.

The American Village is a nationally-pioneering classroom and American history and civics education center that leads 35,000-40,000 students annually from Alabama and Southeastern states in experience-based academic programs related to American history, civics, and government. Although the main buildings of American Village are currently closed due to COVID-19, the festival is bringing some of that learning into the tulip fields. After you’re done tulip picking, you can meet patriots of the past, catch a puppet show, learn about Colonial medicine and apothecary, hear Colonial music, and see what life was like in the Continental Army.

Reservations to the tulip festival are not required, but be aware that all payment is contactless card (no cash).

For updates on the tulip status and opening/closing dates, follow American Village on Facebook.