BLOOM - THE ABBOTSFORD TULIP FESTIVAL SAYS FAREWELL TO THE FRASER VALLEY WITH PLANS TO BLOOM AGAIN IN NORTHERN OKANAGAN
January 25, 2021 (Armstrong, B.C.) – After four years of hosting one of the Fraser Valley’s largest and most colourful outdoor events, the organizers of Bloom, The Abbotsford Tulip Festival are saying thank you and farewell to the community where it all started with plans to eventually rebloom in Northern Okanagan.
“It’s a bittersweet feeling to say goodbye to the incredible community that supported our vision for the lastfew years but we’re hopeful for the future of the event in our new community in Northern Okanagan,” said Alexis Szarek, Founder of Bloom, The Abbotsford Tulip Festival. “We want to thank all of our dedicated staff and volunteers who greatly contributed to our success in Abbotsford, as well as the many community stakeholders who helped us along the way.”
Bloom, The Abbotsford Tulip Festival held the first event in the spring of 2016 with the goal of bringing four generations of Szarek’s family’s passion for growing tulips to a broader audience. The outdoor event attracted up to 100-thousand visitors each year over six weeks from April to May who gathered to marvel at the 2.5 million rainbow coloured tulips in full bloom. The event employed over dozens of staff and volunteers every year, and had a significant impact on the local economy while boosting tourism and putting Abbotsford on a global stage for its reputation as an agritourism destination. The festival was featured on dozens of international publications and programs including CBC’s The Nature of Things with David Suzuki. Bloom is also proud to have contributed over $120,000 through volunteer hours to the Abbotsford Kiwanis Club, the Canadian Ski Patrol, Clearbrook Kiwanis Club and W. J. Mouat Dry Grad.
Several recent factors impacted the decision to permanently close the Abbotsford Tulip Festival, including the forced cancellation of the 2020 event last April due to the pandemic, as well as the uncertainty of the 2021 season. In addition, earlier this year the land where the festival had been held for four consecutive years was sold to new owners further compromising the future of the event. Szarek and her growing family have since relocated to Armstrong, B.C. where she and her husband, Marc hope to re-imagine Bloom for the Northern Okanagan community.
For past event photos and to keep up to date with developments for Bloom’s plans in the Northern Okanagan, visit www.abbotsfordtulipfestival.ca and follow @abbotsfordtulipfestival.
ABOUT BLOOM, THE ABBOTSFORD TULIP FESTIVAL
Bloom, The Abbotsford Tulip Festival was founded in 2016 by Alexis Szarek (nee Warmerdam), a passionate third-generation Canadian tulip farmer. During it’s four years in operation, the festival offered visitors a chance to witness a breathtaking techno-coloured display of over 2.5 million tulips in a beautiful country setting while attracting visitors from all over the world. Alexis’ vision for Bloom was to share her love of farming and inspire appreciation for the splendor of the tulip season while providing visitors with a chance to enjoy over 40 varieties of tulips in a beautiful country setting with their friends, family and colleagues. Alexis founded the Abbotsford Tulip Festival at just 28 years old and quickly became a leader for innovation in the agri-tourism sector. She has received numerous awards including the 2016 Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce; 2017 University of the Fraser Valley Distinguished Alumni Award; and was the 2017 Nominee for the Tourism Excellence Award from the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce. She was also a board member on the BC Young Farmers Committee (2016-2019), serving as Chair in 2018 and 2019. She also served as a board member on the Canadian Young Farmers Forum from 2017 to 2019. Most recently, Alexis earned a spot the “Farm Your Numbers Program” presented by the Canadian Young Farmers Forum. Alexis is considered a industry pioneers and leaves behind a memorable legacy as the founder of Bloom in Abbotsford. She is looking forward to new opportunities to share her passion for farming and country life in the Northern Okanagan within the next few years. For more information visit, abbotsfordtulipfestival.ca
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Tanis Sullivan
Tanis Sullivan Communications
604-230-8008
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