7th Annual "Tulip Extravaganza" Photo Contest Winner Announced

The 7th Annual Tulip Extravaganza Photography Contest has yielded beautiful depictions of the numerous tulip displays in downtown Hendersonville. With 87 entries to choose from, judges had their work cut out for them according to Barbara Hughes, owner of Narnia Studios, sponsors of the event. Mike Dirks, Times News photographer, was impressed with the array of photographs. “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 Ron Goins of Hendersonville, whose photograph of intense red dutch tulips in front of the Hendersonville City Hall as a back drop created an unusual and dramatic perspective. The warmth of the tulips are in stark contrast with the coldness of the stone. "The architectural and natural contrast made for an excellent composition," said Dirks. The photo is entitled " City Hall ". "The beautiful red color and the stone background of City Hall gave me a perfect opportunity to try a new lens," said Goins.

The winning photograph will be on display at Narnia Studios through May 15.

Tulip Extravaganza returns April 1-30

Published: Monday, March 8, 2010 at 3:22 p.m.

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 seventh annual Tulip Extravaganza.

Jessica Claydon, owner of Zen, Etc., 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 26. Winners will be announced April 30.

“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.

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View the original article with pictures here.

Below are two winning photos from Tulip Extravaganzas past....

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

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

Edgar Ward of Hendersonville won the
4th Annual "Tulip Extravaganza" contest.