By Sam Parsons

Nominees for the city of Pella’s Tulip Queen were just unveiled, and the time has come for voting to trim the list from 18 nominees down to 12.

The Pella Historical Society and Museum just released the list of 18 names up for the 2023 Royal Tulip Time Court. Voters who live in the Pella School District will choose up to 3 young women who are senior high school students within the community to continue as Tulip Queen Candidates.

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.

The candidates who advance will prepare for a night of interviewing and presentations before 30 judges on November 12. 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.

Ballots are available to be printed at Pella Historical Society and Museum’s website, pellahistorical.org. You can fill it out and drop it off at the museum, Marion County Bank, Hy-Vee, or Fareway. The deadline is next Tuesday, October 18, at 5pm.