"Tulip Extravaganza" Photo Contest Winner Announced

The fourth annual Tulip Extravaganza Photography Contest has yielded beautiful depictions of the numerous tulip displays in downtown Hendersonville. With 38 entries to choose from, judges had their work cut out for them according to Barbara Hughes, owner of Narnia Studios, sponsors of the event. “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 explained.

The overall winner is Edgar Ward of Hendersonville, whose photograph of a brilliant yellow and red striped dutch tulip appears with downtown restaurant, Square 1, as a back drop created an unusual and dramatic perspective. The tulip, with the sun giving it illumination, appears taller than the building. This made for an excellent composition.The photo is entitled "Let Your Light Shine".
For more information, call Hughes at 697-6393

Welcome Spring At 5th “Tulip Extravaganza”
‘Spring Cleaning’ Sidewalk Sales at Participating Merchants

Eight to ten thousand 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,” said Johnson recently. This annual floral display spurred Narnia Studios owner, Barbara Hughes, to the decision to invite the community to the fifth annual “Tulip Extravaganza”. Zen, Etc. owner, Jessica Claydon agreed. Claydon felt is 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,” said Claydon.

The “Tulip Extravaganza” is scheduled for April 1-26, which includes the week of Passover and Easter this year. Many of the shops will be holding a third annual ‘spring cleaning’ sidewalk sale on April 10 & 11 during the height of the spring color. The 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 Barbara Hughes, owner of Narnia Studios. Hughes also said the 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 added.

Also, the fourth annual “Tulip Extravaganza” photo contest is always fun. All photos entered must be taken in downtown Hendersonville and the deadline to enter is April 26th. The winners will be announced April 30th.

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

“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.

Vivian Brown of Hendersonville won the "Tulip Extravaganza" contest with her photograph of an orange dutch tulip with vibrant purple pansies.