Fun is (almost) in bloom! The Tulip Festival at Holland Ridge Farms will boast 50 acres of vibrant flowers. Starting mid-April, visitors can stroll the grounds, which include a tulip market, u-pick fields and restored barns with furry friends. Purple, pink, orange and yellow—a rainbow of beautiful blossoms will spring to life for about four weeks, as long as the weather cooperates. Check hollandridgefarms.com for an up-to-date bloom report.
Petal Past
Tulip farmer Casey Jansen Sr. came to New Jersey from Holland 55 years ago, when he was just 17. He learned Dutch tulip-bulb growing techniques from his father. When Jansen Sr. arrived in the Garden State, he grew tulips in greenhouses and sold them to wholesale markets. But he always dreamed of opening tulip fields for the public to enjoy.
In April 2018, that vision became a reality. Jansen Sr. and his son Casey Jansen Jr. opened Holland Ridge Farms, a 143-acre plot in Cream Ridge (near Six Flags Great Adventure) that was once a dairy farm. The Jansens host what they claim to be the largest tulip festival on the East Coast. This year, millions of tulips in many varieties will sprout up, forming a colorful quilt of flowers across the property.
Courtesy of Cynthia Soler/Holland Ridge Farms
Get Growing
In October, the bulbs are planted. There are rows of early-, mid- and late-bloom tulips so flower enthusiasts visiting the farm throughout the month can experience the blossoms. Although tulips are perennials, the bulbs are dug up and replanted each season to ensure the best flower performance. The bulbs also need to be removed to make way for sunflowers. In September, the fields turn gold with acres of the bright yellow flowers.
Flower Festivities
The Tulip Festival is a popular weekend destination. Special events and attractions at the farm include the Hollandwood Theatre, an old barn where a video about the history of tulips plays; the Good ‘Ole Days Museum, which houses tulip-harvesting equipment imported from Holland; and the Hollandshop, a gift shop with tulip-themed memorabilia. Helpers from Holland and a Dutch pollination expert will be on hand to share their knowledge. Artists will sit in the fields with easels creating paintings of the tulips. Visitors can hop on a hayride or take a spin in a horse and buggy. A local bakery provides treats for sale daily. On weekends, there will be food trucks and face painting.
Holland Ridge Farms is open 9 am-6 pm daily. Admission costs $5-$10 online and $7-$12 at the door.