By Sam Parsons

The city of Pella is holding the announcement party for the 2023 Tulip Time Queen and Royal Court this Saturday.

Residents have multiple options available to purchase tickets between now and then. Tickets are available online through the Pella Historical Museum webpage through Thursday. They can also be purchased at the Vermeer Windmill Gift Shop on Friday and Saturday between 10am-4pm. Remaining tickets will be available at the door the day of the event beginning at 6:15pm.

The Pella Tulip Time Royal Court is the ambassador for Pella’s Tulip Festival. The Court consists of the Tulip Queen and her four attendants. The Queen also chooses two pages and two attendants to join the Court during the festival in May.

Senior girls from the community are nominated by Pella residents, followed by a town-wide vote to select the top twelve finalists. The candidates prepare for a night of interviewing and presentations before 30 judges. Each candidate first interviews with the judges in small groups. Next is the public performance, where each finalist gives a presentation of a talent or interest that depicts her personality. She will also be interviewed by the evening’s Master of Ceremonies. After the tallying of ballots from both the interviews and the public performances, the Tulip Queen and Court are announced.

The 12 finalists for Tulip Queen this year are:

Emma Bogaard

Tatum Carlstone

Samantha Clark

Anna DeNooy

Braelyn Ensor

Jasmine Namminga

Cheyne Plants

Norma Spiker

Bridget Vande Zande

Hailey Van Vark

Avery Verhoef

Ellie Wogen