Tulip Extravaganza in 'full bloom' in downtown Hendersonville

Staff Reports
·2 min read
Tulips and other flowers are in full bloom along Main Street in downtown Hendersonville on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.
Tulips and other flowers are in full bloom along Main Street in downtown Hendersonville on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.

The 20th annual Tulip Extravaganza is in full bloom in downtown Hendersonville.

"It's been a challenging couple of years, but spring is upon us which means downtown will be in full bloom," said Barbara Hughes, owner of Narnia Studios and sponsor of Tulip Extravaganza.

The event generally runs late March-April 30, which includes the week of Easter (April 17) and Passover this year (April 15-23). Downtown merchants are hoping residents will bring their out-of-town guests for a month of colorful shopping and dining.

Businesses will also have unique ways to welcome the crowds and spring.

Tulips and other flowers are in full bloom along Main Street in downtown Hendersonville on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.
Tulips and other flowers are in full bloom along Main Street in downtown Hendersonville on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.

“Many businesses will have tulip-themed displays in their windows as well as offering their spring specials including sidewalk sales April 8-9,” said Hughes, who, as a florist has a natural connection, created the celebration and subsequent tulip photo contest.

Residents can enter their best tulip photos in the contest at Narnia Studios. Photos must be taken in downtown Hendersonville and the deadline to enter is April 25.

Tulips and other flowers are in full bloom along Main Street in downtown Hendersonville on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.
Tulips and other flowers are in full bloom along Main Street in downtown Hendersonville on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.

The winners will be announced April 29.

Hughes has been in love with flowers for as long as she can remember, according to a news release about the event. She is still surrounded by flowers, as 8,000-10,000 tulips bloom in the planters on Main Street when spring arrives.

“Our special tax district for Main Street pays master gardeners Scott Johnson and Bruce Lowe to create beautiful landscaping in the planters along the sidewalks,” she said.

“The bulbs we planted in the fall should be in full bloom the second and third week of April,” Johnson said. “Lots of tulip leaves are already poking through the flower beds.”

Hughes said the flowers inspired her to hold the annual Tulip Extravaganza and the photo contest. She has been organizing the photo contest for 19 years now — one for every Tulip Extravaganza.

“Downtown Hendersonville is such a treasure to Western North Carolina,” she said. “We anticipate as many visitors as tulips.”

For more information, contact Narnia Studios at 828-697-6393.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Hendersonville's 20th annual Tulip Extravaganza downtown in full bloom