THE flowers are blooming the birds are singing - spring is in the air.
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And the start of spring in the Highlands also heralds one of the region's major seasonal celebrations, Tulip Time.
The popular floral festival is now in its 54th year.
The colourful celebrations began on Tuesday with a schedule of activities that will continue across the Wingecarribee Shire until October 6.
It is a festival that attracts visitors to the Highlands from near and far as people travel to the area to stroll through spectacularly landscaped local gardens including the Tulip Time centrepiece at Corbett Gardens. And over the years the event has evolved to offer so much more.
One of the highlights is the annual street parade, to be held on Saturday, September 20 along Bong Bong Street, Bowral, which will be followed by the billy cart derby and a packed program of activities over the remainder of the festival.
While some locals may choose to retreat from the centre of town to avoid the influx of visitors to the area and the growing challenge to find parking in Bowral, the long-standing success of Tulip Time can not be ignored. This is an event that has been a tourism drawcard in the Highlands for more than half a century.
Few events anywhere can boast such longevity. It is an event that each year raises funds for charity and this year the supported charity is Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.
It also showcases the Highlands in all its floral glory and more recently this has become a celebration intended to extend across the Wingecarribee and incorporates a variety of other attractions, so visitors and locals alike can enjoy the appeal of the entire shire.
Here's hoping that Highlanders will this year embrace all that their home grown festival has to offer and maybe develop a newfound appreciation of this beautiful shire.
Details about Tulip Time activities are available by clicking here.