Pella

Dominie Hendrik Scholte led about eight hundred Dutch separatists here in 1847 after religious restriction at home, and the town kept the language and the church for generations. The Vermeer Windmill, erected in 2002, was built in the Netherlands and shipped in pieces. Tulip Time runs three days on the first weekend in May with tulip gardens, Dutch costume, daily parades and a queen and court chosen from the town's high schools. Wyatt Earp spent his boyhood here - his father farmed near Pella and his brothers Warren and Morgan were born in the town. Dutch letters, an almond pastry first brought to the United States here, are the local food.

Highlights

• The Vermeer Windmill - built in the Netherlands, put up in 2002.
• A settlement of 1847 - Dutch separatists under Scholte.
• Tulip Time in early May - three days, with daily parades.
• Wyatt Earp's boyhood town - his brothers were born here.

When to go

Early May for Tulip Time. Half a day.

Practical notes

The festival is three days and the town fills entirely. Bloom timing varies with the spring. Outside May there is comparatively little on. The windmill has limited hours off season.

Nearby

Lake Red Rock is south; Des Moines is west.

Key facts