9th Annual "Tulip Extravaganza" Photo Contest April 24, 2011

Up to 10,000 tulips are about to burst into bloom in downtown Hendersonville according to master gardener Scott Johnson.

“The bulbs we planted in the fall should be in full bloom the second and third week of April,” he said. "The extreme winter weather means they may start blooming a couple of days later but lots are already poking through the flower beds.”

The annual floral display spurred Narnia Studios owner, Barbara Hughes, to the decision to invite the community to the ninth annual Tulip Extravaganza.

Hughes said it was a great opportunity to welcome area residents to enjoy spring in downtown Hendersonville.

“The planters and flower beds on Main Street are beautiful year round, but in the spring they are especially showy,” she added.

The Tulip Extravaganza is scheduled for April 1-30, which includes the week of Passover and Easter this year. Many shops will hold an annual “spring cleaning” sidewalk sale April 9 and 10 during the height of the spring color. Downtown businesses hope that residents will bring their out-of-town guests for a week of shopping and dining.

“Downtown Hendersonville is such a treasure to Western North Carolina. We anticipate as many visitors as tulips!” said Hughes.

Businesses will each have unique ways to welcome the crowds and spring.

“Many businesses will have tulip-themed displays in their windows as well as offering their spring specials,” Hughes said.

The annual Tulip Extravaganza photo contest also returns this year. All photos of tulips entered must be taken in downtown Hendersonville and the deadline to enter is April 25. Winners will be announced April 29.

“Because of the temporal nature of the tulips, we are looking for a way to preserve the beauty for marketing downtown while including the public in celebrating their ephemeral nature,” Hughes said.

For more information about the Tulip Extravaganza, call Hughes at 828-697-6393.

Official Website: http://www.narniastudios.com/local_events.htm