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May 5, 2008 The Orange City Tulip Festival – Authentically Dutch By Bethany Kroeze
“Poffertjes.” That’s the unanimous answer to the question, “What’s your favorite Festival treat?” The tiny Dutch pancakes, served with “roomboter,” connect all three of these Tulip Festival participants to the Netherlands. Tulip Festival Steering Committee Co-Chair Bert Aarsen, 2008 Tulip Queen Katie Buntsma, and her father John are Dutch. But they are more Dutch than “my great-great grandparents on my mother’s side…” Dutch. Bert and John were both born in the Netherlands and immigrated to the United States. And these two men are just a few of the real, true, authentic elements of Orange City’s Tulip Festival this year (May 15-17, 2008). From the costumes to the dances to the words and phrases seen around town, the Orange City community prides itself on the high degree of authenticity they show guests during their annual festival. “It is important to recognize where we came from [and] what our ancestors went through to establish this community here,” Buntsma said. Born in the Sassenheim area in the northern part of the province Zuid Holland, or South Holland, Buntsma and his family came to the United States from the middle of the “bolle streek” or tulip region. Since Buntsma moved to America when he was only two years old, the Dutch language and traditions that he speaks and knows come from visiting the Netherlands and being raised by Dutch parents in Canada and the U.S. When he went back to the Netherlands to get reacquainted with his family, his Dutch-speaking relatives would not converse with him in English. They simply told him, “Kleine kinderen weet het taal, waarom hebt yi moelijkheid,” which means, “Little children know that language, what is your problem!” Aarsen, on the other hand, moved to Orange City when he was five years old, and he only spoke Dutch. He recalls his first day of kindergarten, only two weeks after arriving in America. “I didn’t want to go,” he said. “I remember holding on to the water fountain for dear life, I was so scared and nervous.” But by the second day, he was fine. He credits his teacher, Miss Vogelaar, for taking him under her wing and helping him adjust to the new environment and language. And after only three or four weeks, Aarsen was running around on the playground with the other children, shouting to them in English. Aarsen’s mother has often reminded him of another childhood story. When he was still young, Aarsen would overhear the older gentlemen of the community sitting on their porches, speaking Dutch. So the young boy would go up to them and join their conversation. “It enamored them that I could speak the language,” he said. “It was fun for those men.” Because he knows the language, Aarsen appreciates seeing the various Dutch words and phrases around Orange City during the festival. “I enjoy seeing them spelled correctly,” he added. Besides the language, Orange City’s festival embraces authentic costumes, dances, food and games. Marlys Hop and Denise De Vries have worked hard to maintain the accuracy of the costumes worn at the festival. Queen Katie said that all the fabric for her costume came directly from the Netherlands. Besides fabric, patterns are also imported from the country to ensure authenticity. “Lots of people spend lots of energy making sure details of the festival are authentic,” Buntsma said. “And that brings genuine appreciation.” Instructors have also been brought in to teach the various dances performed for the guests. Dancers of all ages take time to learn the steps and songs and enjoy sharing them with others. Aarsen believes that the variety of genuine Dutch traditions and artifacts that are present during the festival and all year round can be like experiencing a European vacation. “People that come [to the Festival] see the Dutch fronts, the Dutch architecture,” he said. “They see the costumes, games, bicycles, and these are all authentic pieces of Holland. I think people enjoy seeing that.” Orange City’s Tulip Festival exists to celebrate Dutch heritage. By using authentic Dutch culture, the community works to pass their heritage along to their children and grandchildren, but at the same time, they share their heritage with others, in the community, as well as with visitors. “We are giving our children roots and passing our heritage along to them,” Aarsen said. Queen Katie believes this is important for the younger generation as well. “It’s so sad to hear about cultures dying out,” she said. “We are preserving our history for future generations. By practicing our heritage, the experience teaches us more. It is never the same to read about history in books as it is to experience it like we do at the festival.” “We are celebrating heritage in many ways,” Aarsen said. “Even with the Native American musicians, Brulé. Although they are obviously not Dutch, they are very concerned with celebrating and embracing their heritage and that is why they fit at our festival.” He adds that not all of the 1,000 volunteers in the community who work year-round on the Festival are of Dutch heritage, but they embrace the celebration and contribute immensely. All are welcome. “At Tulip Festival, you don’t have to speak Dutch,” Aarsen said, “But participate in the Festival. Welcome guests, wear costumes, Dutch dance, sample Dutch foods. “Try new things and embrace the festival. Make yourself a part of it.” As Queen Katie said, “Everyone is Dutch at Tulip Festival!”
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Copyright © 2009 Tulip Festival Steering Committee
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