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Tulip Queen & Court

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The Pella Tulip Time Royal Court is the ambassador for Pella's Tulip Festival. The Court consists of the Tulip Queen and her four attendants. The Queen also chooses two pages and two flower girls to join the Court during the festival in May.

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How are the Queen and Court chosen?

Senior girls from the community are nominated by Pella residents, followed by a town-wide vote to select the top twelve finalists. The candidates prepare for a night of interviewing and presentations before 30-36 judges. Each candidate first interviews with the judges in small groups. Next is the public performance, where each finalist gives a presentation of a talent or interest that depicts her personality. She will also be interviewed by the evening’s Master of Ceremonies, including an impromptu question. After the tallying of ballots from both the interviews and the public performances, the Tulip Queen and Court are announced.

 

What do the Queen and Court do?

Working with a committee affectionately known as the "Court Moms," the Queen and Court prepare a program and hone their interviewing skills throughout the winter. In the spring, they make dozens of appearances to promote Pella’s Tulip Festival. This includes the Capitol, local media stations, civic organizations, and more. The pinnacle of their reign is hosting thousands of tourists at the May festival. Additionally, after hosting the Orange City Royal Court in Pella, the Pella Court then travels to Orange City, Iowa, two weeks later to enjoy our sister town’s festival.

 

Why participate? 

Participants in the Tulip Time Royal Court grow in many ways. The young women grow in leadership, communication and organizational skills, public speaking, relationship-building, and much more. All of these skills are beneficial throughout their lives! Additionally, being a part of the Court gives members a deeper appreciation for their town, their families, and their heritage.

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Can the Tulip Queen and Court appear at or perform for my group or event?

Due to their busy schedules, the Tulip Court is limited in how many appearances they can make. If your business or organization is interested in hosting the Court, please email info@pellahistorical.com for the Tulip Time Steering Committee to consider your request.

Pella's Tulip Queens and Courts

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2025 Queen Addison Bandstra

Attendants Maggie Heinen, Lyndi Schulte, Ella Van Waardhuizen, Claire Westerkamp

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2024 Queen Mia Andringa

Attendants: Claire Braafhart, Olivia Cunningham, Alexa Klein, Ellison Ritzert

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2023 Queen Cheyne Plants

Attendants: Tatum Carlstone, Anna DeNooy, Avery Verhoef, Ellie Wogen

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2022 Queen Sarah Gritters

Attendants: Emily Buckingham, Kelly Dykema, Ashley Uitermarkt, Trinity Vos

 

2021 Queen Alyssa Geetings

Attendants: Tessa Brouwer, Olivia De Haan-Burch, Ashley Holdman, Hannah Tschetter

 

2020 Queen Hanna Kendall

Attendants: Molly Bolt, Courtney Chaplin, Jocelyn Gritters, Ellie Roorda

 

2019 Queen Olivia Vander Leest

Attendants: Mary Kate Bandstra, Isabella Baugh, Camryn Huyser, Emily Schreur

 

2018 Queen Juliana Van Gorp

Attendants: Elise Beukelman, Lexi De Jong, Naomi Tripp, Tressa Vos

 

2017 Queen Halle Van Vark

Attendants: Jessa Bokhoven, Hannah Emmert, Jennifer Van Haaften, Sophia Steenhoek

 

2016 Queen Maria Bandstra

Attendants: Taylor Bolt, Shanae De Haan Burch, Elyse Parisee, Anne Williamson

 

2015 Queen Eleanor Witt

Attendants: Megan Atkins, Emily Van Gorp, Jessica Vos, Leah Wilborn

 

2014 Queen Leah Blankespoor

Attendants: Mariah Eekhoff, Rachel Mueller, Sarah Muller, Faith Van Wyngarden

 

2013 Queen Marlee Bokhoven

Attendants: Elizabeth De Wolf, Kate Roozeboom, Erica Schulte, Heather Van Wyk

 

2012 Queen Alexa Zylstra

Attendants: Kelly Anderson, Hanna Martin, Sarah Van Maanen, Taylor Van Woerkom

 

2011 Queen Tricia Wisniewski

Attendants: Leah Engelbrecht, Rachel Greving, Karissa Schaudt, Kristi Van Wyk

 

2010 Queen Heidi Schulte

Attendants: Morgan Anderson, Courtney Kelderman, Bekah Posthuma, Sara Van Gorp

 

2009 Queen Morgan Kuiper

Attendants: Leah Dykstra, Karlie Monsma, Rachel Van Gorp, Aemelia Tripp

 

2008 Queen Allyson Huffman

Attendants: Cassidy Mejia, Robin Sadler, Nikki Sikkema, Emily Van Woerkom

 

2007 Queen Allison Vande Zande

Attendants: Katie Fetterman, Alison Muller, Sarah Slings, Katie Williamson

 

2006 Queen Leah Nieboer

Attendants: Lexi Kanis, Liesel Schroder, Sierra Smith, Laurel Van Dusseldorp

 

2005 Queen Marie Bruns

Attendants: Sara Steenhoek, Jennifer Van Ee, Ashley Van Soelen, Jill Van Vark

 

2004 Queen Jenni Van Wyk

Attendants: Alexis Baugh, Lindsay Graham, Megan McCombs, Katie Ozinga

 

2003 Queen Ashley Braun

Attendants: Katie Kniff, Amy Laug, Tiffany Pol, Elizabeth Terborg

 

2002 Queen Hillary Recker

Attendants: Amy Van Hall, Heather Vande Lune, Andrea Vander Wilt, Sarah Way

 

2001 Queen Randa Van Rheenen

Attendants: Orpah Schiebout, Jessica Van Zee, Jawnica Vaverka, Molly Vermeer

 

2000 Queen Jessie Kraayenbrink

Attendants: Kimberly De Bruin, Melanie De Nooy, Amy Jones, Stephanie Roozeboom

 

1999 Queen Elizabeth Schepel

Attendants: Rachel Henderson, Lindsey Kraayenbrink, Amy Steenhoek, Jessica Van Ee

 

1998 Queen Gina Bandstra

Attendants: Leah DeBoef, Angela Harms, Sharesa Olson, Suzanne Van Roekel

 

1997 Queen Jeanna Redman

Attendants: Sybil Sullivan, Carrie Van Maanen, Crystal Van Haaften, Shalene Van Wyk

 

1996 Queen Jill Verhey

Attendants: Allison Mulder, Livija Shannon, Julie Steenhoek, Crystal Vander Waal

 

1995 Queen Shanon Gutierrez

Attendants: Kara De Haan, Lynne Van Roekel, Jill Van Wyk, Teresa Zuidema

 

1994 Queen Tara Baar

Attendants: Lisa Blankespoor, Lisa Brass, Sarah Rinsema, Melanie Vernooy

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1993 Queen Amy Vroom

Attendants: Michele Uitermarkt, Angie Van Arendonk, Darcy Vande Lune, Karin Vander Ploeg

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1992 Queen Betsy Brandl

Attendants: Angie Ryken, Amy Van Vark, Amy Vander Werf, Heidi Vermeer

 

1991 Queen Jennifer Vander Werf

Attendants: Desha Craver, Alicia Dieleman, Ronda Goemaat, Mary Ver Ploeg

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1990 Queen Heather Heiting

Attendants: Jill Dieleman, Holly Gosselink, Michelle Poortinga, Kelly Pothoven

 

1989 Queen Sophie Falcon

Attendants: Angie Dieleman, Tricia Steenhoek, Julie Vander Ploeg, Heather Wegter

 

1988 Queen Tonya Van Wyk

Attendants: Jennifer Brandl, Jaci Ryken, Elizabeth Smiley, Kim Van Dalen 

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1987 Queen Patti De Nooy

Attendants: Julie Bogaards, Paula Jo Malin, Leslie Quade, Jill Van Zee

 

1986 Queen LeAnn Vander Hart

Attendants: Christy Blom, Jodi Den Adel, Kim Duven, Kendra Van Dalen

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1985 Queen Geselle Mulder

Attendants: Sandy Gosselink, Kelli Kredit, Stephanie Te Ronde, Glenda Vander Waal

 

1984 Queen Beth Boomsma

Attendants: Patti Beintema, Julie De Reus, Carol Rooda, Julie Vander Wilt

 

1983 Queen Brenda Boomsma

Attendants: Christi Koopman, Amber Terpstra, Lisa Van Rheenen, Lucia Vande Kamp

 

1982 Queen Nancy Thies

Attendants: LeeAnn De Reus, Rosie Van Wyk, Lori Vander Leest, Ann Ver Meer

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1981 Queen Kathleen Lucas

Attendants: Sandy De Zwarte, Val Newendorp, Laura Rozenboom, Lori Vroom

 

1980 Queen Monica May

Attendants: Andrea Busker, Renee De Boef, Patti Monsma, Norma Stursma

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1979 Queen Marla Nieuwsma

Attendants: Becky Rietveld, Pam Ruiter, Lois Ryken, Julie Van Gorp

 

1978 Queen Mindy Roozeboom

Attendants: Bev Gritters, Julie Sadler, Wendy Van Zee, Carol Vander Leest

 

1977 Queen Kathy Thies

Attendants: Cindy DeJong, Jennifer Hoekstra, Carol Kanis, Lorene Rook

 

1976 Queen Ruth Van Gorp

Attendants: Vicki Beyers, Jaci Evers, Deb Kooyman, Lori Van Gorp

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1975 Queen Carol Kuyper

Attendants: Lynn Hinga, Connie Jaarsma, Cassie Van Zee, Mary Vander Ploeg

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1974 Queen Karla De Cook

Attendants: Peggy Engbers, Kim Renskers, Lola Vander Leest, Jaci Vander Wert

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1973 Queen Marceta Roberts

Attendants: Kristy Engbers, Ruth Hagens, Marcey Overman, Beverly Vermeer

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1972 Queen Emily Vander Ploeg

Attendants: Cynthia Butler, Carol Kooi, Ann Renskers, Gail Vander Ploeg

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1971 Queen Tricia Steward

Attendants: Lisa Mills, Ruth Van Gorp, Barbara Vermeer, Connie Whalley

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1970 Queen Sandra Vermeer

Attendants: Kim Evers, Judy Vande Krol, Sherri Vander Wilt, Kristi Vos

 

1969 Queen Andrea Ver Meer

Attendants: Ann Dahm, Janice Grandia, Carol Hedrick, Mary Ver Ploeg

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1968 Queen Judy De Cook

Attendants: Barbara Mickmershuizen, Nancy Paris, Andrea Ver Meer, Mary Vermeer

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1967 Queen Judy Grandia

Attendants: Barb Kuiper, Susan Snyder, Karin Van Zante, Karin Tucker

 

1966 Queen Mary Joan Farver

Attendants: Judy De Cook, Judy Grandia, Eunice Roorda, Carol Vander Ploeg

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1965 Queen Elaine Schakel

Attendants: Judy De Cook, Lois De Jong, Lynn Van Tuyl, Pamela Wilson

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1964 Queen Beverly De Cook

Attendants: Barbara Duven , Pamela Klein, Twyla Van Steenis, Pamela Wilson

 

1963 Queen Mary Ver Meer

Attendants: Beverly De Cook, Pamela Klein, Charlene Klyn, Mary Wing

 

1962 Queen Kathy Gosselink

Attendants: Sharon Breen, Judy De Jong, Pam Gaass, Elaine Schakel

 

1961 Queen Glenda Steenhoek

Attendants: Kathy Gosselink, Kay Kuyper, Kay McDonald, Karen Wesselink

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1960 Queen Lois De Kock

Attendants: Mary Boat, Beverly Boatsma, Linda Tysseling, Karen Wesselink

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1959 Queen Sandra Sels

Attendants: Shirley Groenendyk, Sandy Klein, Joan Nollen, Marlyn Van Ee

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1958 Queen Hilma Schagen

Attendants: Marla De Wild, Sandy Klein, Bonnie Kuyper, Retha Stursma

 

1957 Queen Andrea Boat

Attendants: Sharon Bakker, Bonnie DeJong, Marleen Duven, Evelyn Dykstra

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1956 Queen Sandra Cummingham

Attendants: Andrea Boat, Marleen Duven, Geraldine Rus, MaryLou Ten Hagen

 

1955 Queen Gwen Vanden Berg

Attendants: Sandra Cummingham, Ruth Dahn, Sara Gosselink, Lila Klein

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1954 Queen Judy Cook

Attendants: Bernice De Geus, Eloise De Zwarte, Marsha Jansen, Sally Jo Verdught

 

1953 Queen Lou Ann LeCocq

Attendants: Arlene Jellema, Peggy Kuyper, Joyce Petersma, Martha Van Ekeren

 

1952 Queen Jo Ann Schagen

Attendants: Barbara Buyert, LouAnn LeCocq, Marlene Sels, Retha Vande Haar

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1951 Queen Carol Versteeg

Attendants: Elisabeth Kempkes, Marlene Sels, Retha Vande Haar, Dorothy Ver Meer

 

1950 Queen Wilma Van Zee

Attendants: Elisabeth Kempkes, Nancy Van Mannen, Mildred Vander Veer, Carol Versteeg

 

1949 Queen Lorraine De Haan

Attendants: Beulah De Heer, Ruth Den Adel, Mildred Hugen, Elaine Vander Ploeg

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1948 Queen Beverly Thomassen

Attendants: Bernice Heerema, Marylou Kamerick, Ella Jane Van Slittert, Verla Vander Streek

 

1947 Queen Ruth Vande Geest

Attendants: Uella Dingeman, Bernice Heerema, Bernice Jaarsma, Ruth Vogelaar

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1946

Pella's Tulip Time Festival was not held due to World War II recovery.

 

1944-1945 Queen Martha Van Berkum

Attendants: Francene De Prenger, Margaret De Wild, Phyllis Van Ee, Georgia Van Gorkom

The outbreak of World War II caused the court to remain the same for two years. There was no actual Tulip Time during these two years, but the court did fundraisers for the Netherlands to help with war relief.

 

1943 Queen Ruth Klein

Attendants: Virginia Carpenter, Carol Cook, Madeline Diekema, Jeanette Lankeima

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1942 Queen Jeanne Van Gorkom

Attendants: Ruth Klein, Janet Vande Kieft, Marcia Versteeg, Theresa Wormhoudt

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1941 Queen Marge Veenman

Attendants: Virginia Kempkes, Helen Klyn, Jeanne Van Gorkom, Lois Vanden Berg

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1940 Queen Leona Schilder

Attendants: Virginia Kempkes, Helen Klyn, Martha Van Berkum, Marge Veenman

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1939 Queen Bernace Vander Linden

Attendants: Margaretta Slobe, Janet Klyn, Leona Schilder, Martha Van Berkum

 

1938 Queen Virginia Van Gorp

Attendants: Anna Joyce Klein, Janet Klyn, Leona Schilder, Bernace Vander Linden

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1937 Queen Freda Den Burger

Attendants Joan Kuyper, Bette Lankelma, Virginia Van Gorp, Leatanna Vander Pol

 

1936 Queen Leonora Gaass

Attendants: Virginia Van Gorp, Betty Lankelma, Martha Intveld, Ruth Heerema

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