It was a beautiful, sun-filled evening to catch up with locals at Tulip Town last Wednesday April 12. Instead of encountering big crowds of tourists, Skagit residents flocked to the colorful tulip fields. Since it is a late season, only a few rows had popped up, but that didn't stop people from coming out.

"It's a long season," murmured a passerby. "It will probably pick up later." Staff ensured there was a spectacle to see no matter what, which was evident by their detailed mural artwork indoors. The carefully crafted quaint European town with bouquets of tulips once again offered plenty of photo ops for social media.

Visitors enjoyed the indoor/outdoor beer garden, grabbed kettle corn and other eats while a DJ played tunes in the background. A large promenade became an impromptu dance floor when Jeri and Jerry Kaufman decided to show off their moves. The couple, who have been coming to locals night for twelve years, are no stranger to public performance. They are frequently dancing at Gilkey Square.

Jerry Kaufman is one of the founders of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, which started back in 1984. He was impressed to see how it's evolved from being a one weekend event in its first year to drawing over a million people annually throughout April.

The entire evening people were lined up for tractor rides along the perimeter of the carefully planted fields. Families took the opportunity to take photos of their kids in front of the fountains brimming with tulips and other spring blooms. People brought their leashed dogs to enjoy the scenery as well.

The tulips may be late this year, but residents are budding with excitement as the valley's colorful landscapes begin to fill.