Tulips are showing off their color everywhere in Pella, Iowa.

That is where our trip will take us on May 3. The town is hosting its Tulip Festival for its 84th year.   

The city of Pella will be in full swing with residents attired in Dutch costumes and many will be wearing wooden shoes.

A 2:30 p.m. parade will include locals who will bring their buckets and mops to ready the streets  for the Royal Queen and attendants.

It  will begin the colorful walk of many families with children all dressed to the nines.There will be time to explore the many stands, car show, quilters and more.   

We will be departing at 6:30 a.m.

We have set the date of Aug. 11 for our trip to the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa.

The Big Bands that play on summer Sundays in the beautiful Ballroom has created high interest with our travellers.  We have chosen the Jan Garber Orchestra for our trip.

We will have time to tour the Surf with all the memorabilia, especially Buddy Holly.  If you remember, it was 60 years ago when  Buddy, The Bopper and Richie Valens, plus the pilot of the plane all perished. A site in the field near Clear Lake stands as a memorial.

Another plus for this trip is that we recently have met the author of the book “Stars over Clear Lake,”  Loretta Ellsworth. As she orginally hails from the Mason City area, she included in her book the loving  story of her parents and the Surf ballroom.

Dancing will begin at 6 p.m.  We will depart at 3 p.m.  from south side of Walmart and return about 9:30 p.m.

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Upcoming trips

• June 12: Austrian Lady at Villa Comengena. The last day to pay is May 28. We are departing at 8 a.m. and returning around 6 p.m.

• June 26: Lush Country at the Ives Theater in Bloomington.  A country style lunch includes barbacue ribs and chicken, corn-bread with syrup, and a more. Departs at 8:30 a.m.

• July 31: Chanhassen Dinner Theatre presents “Mamma Mia.” Fee is due by mid-June. Please watch for your fee dates.

• Aug. 20: is the date set for our Annual Mystery Trip.

• Aug. 29: Minnesota State Fair Trip, Senior Day.