At Wednesday night's Wingecarribee Council meeting, councillors raised the issue of a "major overhaul" of the event after a report on last year's Tulip Time was presented.

Although visitor numbers have been fairly static, there's no doubt Tulip Time could do with an overhaul. As council watcher Ian Scandrett pointed out, ".. they think they can put on the same film every year and people will watch it, but it doesn't work that way."

In December 2010, John Hewson wrote in his weekly column: "Isn't it time that we stopped kidding ourselves about Tulip Time and its significance? It has been a great festival, over many years. But it is now being 'killed' by Floriade in our Nation's Capital.

"... we can aim to increase the festival atmosphere - a genuine Fair in Corbett Plaza, a multiplicity of events around the district, not just in Bowral, and not just open gardens, but music and art and wine - or, whatever. And we could also all make a greater effort to participate in the parade and the other major events."

These are the exact sentiments that were voiced by Tourism Manager Steve Rosa yesterday.

Floriade has taken its toll on Tulip Time - it's basically the same, but it's done on a much bigger and better scale.

Funding will always be an issue for community events, but participation and volunteering are also vital ingredients the many Tulip Time "cooks" (which need to be culled) should investigate.

Events such as Tulip Time are great vehicles to bind a community and advance tourism. It would be a shame if it folded because of an attitude of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".