Scrubbing Streets

Shane is taking a little break before the festivities begin!

People from my home town come back year after year to the Tulip Festival. Many dress up in their costumes they had growing up and participate in the festivities. There are some that have children wearing the costumes they wore as a child. It is fun to see so many familiar faces and to see how families have changed and grown.

There is a tradition at the Tulip Festival called Scrubbing the Streets, at least that's what we call it. We need to get the streets ready and squeaky clean for the queen and her court to come down. The men and boys fill their buckets with water for tanks on the side of the road and throw the water on the road. The women and girls then come behind and sweep the streets clean.

Tyra and Alexa busy sweeping the streets.

Shane filling his bucket up with some help from mom!

Emma concentrating on the work at hand!

Shane had way too much fun pouring water on the streets and on himself. He loved every minute of splashing in the puddles along the way. I have to say he is a pretty cute little Dutch boy!

He had to make sure every drop of water was out of the bucket!

Alexa, Emma and Cousin Darby all tired out after scrubbing the streets!