Family fun in bloom

There’s nothing prettier than a field of freshly bloomed tulips, seriously. You can check it out for yourself at Waterdrinker Farm’s annual Tulip Festival, which will likely extend to the first week in May.

This year there were approximately two million tulips planted, more than ever before (the first festival took place in 2019). The nearly monthlong event is considered Long Island’s largest tulip festival and it brings out thousands of people. This year, visitors were invited to pick their own tulip bouquets for $1 per stem. Also new is an interactive tunnel designed to showcase the beauty and provenance of tulips. 

“New this year is our tulip tunnel. It’s kind of like a mini museum about the Netherlands, so visitors can learn a little bit about what makes tulips so special,” said Marc Weiss, manager at Waterdrinker Farm. 

From the Netherlands to Long Island and everywhere in between, tulips seem to pop up everywhere this time of year. So, what makes tulips the flower of choice for so many local green thumbs? Brittney Weiss, manager at Waterdrinker Farm, has a theory.

“Tulips are the first to bloom in spring. You plant them in November before the first frost and you have to wait for them to come up. It’s the anticipation that gets people excited. It’s that first burst of color that really pops,” she said.

Also exclusive to the event is a special Dutch pilsner brew, called the “Tulip Fest” beer. The beer is sold only at Long Island Farm Brewery, located on the Waterdrinker Farm property. The pilsner is sold on tap or in a can.

The Tulip Festival is expected to continue until the first week in May, depending on the health of the bloom, according to Weiss.

“It’s really up to Mother Nature how hot it’s going to get,” he said.

A burst of heat will cause the tulips to wilt, but if it stays cool, the life of the flowers will be extended.

The field is open seven days a week and admission is $20 per person. A great time to visit is the weekend when there is live music and food trucks.

Next up is the Sunflower Festival, which will take place in the farm in July. For more information, check the Waterdrinker Farm website at www.water-drinker.com or on Instagram or Facebook.