In December last year, Skagit County experienced record-breaking flooding, resulting in evacuations, school and road closures, and millions of dollars of damage to homes and businesses. If you are hoping to check out the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, you will be happy to know it is still on.
We spoke with Rachael Sparwasser, owner of Tulip Town in Mount Vernon, about her experience before and during the flooding. She lived in the area during the 1990 flood, so she knows what devastation rising rivers can bring. She told us about the preparations they made at Tulip Town.
Farmers Prepared
“As part of good farming practices, we make sure our fields have good drainage. Since the 1990 flooding, Skagit County has done a lot to improve our local dike system, and the City of Mount Vernon has installed floodwalls to protect downtown businesses,” said Sparwasser. “If the dikes had broken, depending on where, it could’ve flooded our fields. We moved our equipment to higher ground just in case. As far as the fields, there isn’t much we could do to prevent damage in the event of significant flooding.”
She explained how the community supported each other as the rivers rose.
Community Response
“We were filling sandbags and stacking them in front of businesses, helping out by providing meals and shelter to those in need. Any people whose homes or businesses were at risk, people showed up to help. It gives me goosebumps thinking about how the community came together. We all took a deep breath when the river receded, and the weather started to cooperate.”
Tulip Town’s preparations proved to be precautionary. After assessing the fields and infrastructure, they have no damage, and the tulip bulbs are in good shape. They are looking forward to a beautiful bloom this season. In fact, this year, the tulips will be right in front of their iconic windmill, providing a beautiful background for the flowers. As far as the other tulip fields in the area, Sparwasser said that all of the farms on the west side of Mount Vernon plan to open this season.
Visiting
If you are planning a visit this spring, here is the latest information on Tulip Town, including fun Easter egg hunts for children and even adults! They plan to open March 28, but it is possible that the tulips could bloom earlier, so check the website or social media (Instagram & Facebook) for updates.
Tulip Town, home to the iconic Skagit Valley tulip trolley experience, welcomes visitors to its 30-acre farm in Mount Vernon each April when more than six acres of tulips, representing over 100 varieties, come into bloom across the valley floor.
Visitors can explore the fields on foot, hop aboard the farm’s beloved trolley for a scenic loop, or wander through display gardens planted throughout the grounds. This spring, Tulip Town introduces a new hand-drawn trolley logo, capturing the charm of this signature experience, that will appear on new Tulip Town merchandise.
The property’s 10,000-square-foot barn offers ADA-accessible indoor space where guests can soak in the views with local beer and wine, espresso drinks, and café fare. The barn also features artisan goods from Pacific Northwest makers, bouquets of fresh-cut tulips from the field to purchase and take home, and advance tulip bulb orders for fall planting.
Leashed dogs are welcome at no additional charge.
Easter Weekend Hunts | April 4 & 5, 2026
Kids’ Easter Egg Hunt (FREE w/ Admission)
- Saturday, April 4 & Sunday, April 5 | 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m.
- Children 10 & under can enjoy a fun-filled egg hunt, plus meet-and-greets and photos with the Easter Bunny!
Adult Easter Egg Hunt ($15 + Admission)
- Saturday, April 4 & Sunday, April 5 | 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Search for eggs filled with exciting prizes and enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbles, wine, or beer!
More Tulip Festival Guides for Families
If you’re planning a spring visit to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, these Seattle’s Child guides can help you make the most of the trip:
