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Tulip Mania! It’s a term in the Southern Highlands that may be considered the time when bus loads of people converge on Corbett Gardens to soak up the colourful, floral display in spring.
Those long lines of people making their way into the gardens in the centre of Bowal during the Tulip Time Festival are clearly a part of Tulip Mania. The term could also be applied as the cause of reduced parking availability in the vicinity of the gardens during the festival which will this year run from September 18 to October 1. Tulip Mania tends to occur in the Southern Highlands annually as we immerse ourselves in the Tulip Time Festival.
The festival has been a major tourist attraction for the Highlands for more than half a century. As we head into the 58th year of the festival it is not surprising the event continues to be a major attraction on the Highlands calendar.
The behind the scenes planting and planning that goes into bringing this event to fruition dominates much of each year for organisers. A theme and ambassador help to set the scene for the annual event. This year’s theme is Creating Memories and the ambassador is Noeline Brown. Charities supported by the floral celebration are selected as beneficiaries of funds raised through gate takings and various other activities. This year’s beneficiaries are Wingecarribee Adult Day Care Services and Dementia Australia.
All this hard work and planning culminates with that special Tulip Mania in spring to raise funds for charity and provide a financial boost for the region’s tourism.
But many may be surprised to learn that a different type of Tulip Mania occurred more than 400 years ago in the Netherlands. At that time tulips were a luxury product in a country expanding its wealth and trade networks.
More people could afford luxuries and tulips were seen as beautiful, exotic and redolent of the good taste and learning displayed by the well-educated merchant class. Many who bought tulips also bought paintings or collected rarities such as shells. Prices rose, because tulips were hard to cultivate in a way that brought out the popular striped or speckled petals. They were still rare.
Here’s hoping the tulips are in abundance as this year’s Tulip Time Festival kicks off. Let’s also hope they help raise plenty of funds for supported charities and provide a financial boost for business.