Fraser Valley tulip festivals on track to open mid-April

FRASER VALLEY (NEWS 1130) – Due to our cold February and dry March, the Fraser Valley flower festivals are set to open a little later than usual, but not to worry, guests are being promised a bigger bang for their buck.

Despite the cold February, the unusually warm March has put spring back on track according to Ashleigh Watters with the Abbotsford Tulip Festival.

“It’s a little bit later than what we’ve done in the past, but the stage of where the tulips are at is pretty similar,” she said.

By opening a little later, the flowers are given a little bit more time to bloom, “[Guests] will get a bit more out of their ticket and their experience this way,” Watters added.

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Despite the fields being pretty green right now, Watters said they’re expecting more colour by the time opening day comes on April 15.

“With this rain that is supposed to be coming it’ll help them grow a little bit taller right now they’re just a little bit shorter than usual but we still have just as many popping up and ready to open soon,” she said.

But Abbotsford is not the only one that is benefiting from the warmer weather.

Chilliwack Tulip Festival’s owner and operator, Kate Onos-Gilbert has also seen their flowers growing faster than expected thanks to last month’s weather.

Onos-Gilbert predicts the “early tulips will be in full bloom by opening day,” which they’re hoping will be April 10.

Although the tulip festival may not be open for too long due to the warmer weather, Onos-Gilbert hopes the festival can last until early May.