Programs and Events

We are currently working on details for our 2023 programming which will include: 

Tulip Dig (Saturday, June 3, 9am-11am or until tulips are gone)

Join us to bring home the beauty by helping us clear our tulip bulbs from the Friesveld (the large field out past the windmill circled in purple on the map below.) The event starts at 9am and will run until the tulips run out or 11am, whichever comes first. 

  • Tulip bulbs may only be dug from designated location (only the area in the purple circle below)
  • Cost is $10 per 5 gallon buck, CASH ONLY! Bring your own bucket and digging implements (shovel, garden forks, etc.)
  • First come, first served. No digging before or after the event. We may run out of tulips before 11am. 
  • Participants must check-in/pay and have their bucket tagged before digging. 
  • To summarize, please bring your cash, bucket, tools and a positive attitude!

tulip dig 23 map

Peak Bloom Week (Sunday, July 23 - Saturday, July 29)

Enjoy a visit when our annual gardens are at their peak bloom! Our theme this year is 'Celestial Summer' so you can enjoy our themed annual beds, perennials, and much more. 

Art on the Island Art Contest and Gala (Gala on Thursday, Sept 7)

Our popular art contest and gala return! Details are released shortly after Tulip Time in May. 

Magic at the Mill - Fridays & Saturdays, December 1-16

We are excited to plan the return of Magic at the Mill! This ticketed event will feature a 'tulip field' of 1,000 LED blossoms displaying a synchronized light and music show. The windmill and park grounds will be lit up and attractions such as the carousel, street organ and shops will be open. Details will be made available soon. 


Smart Gardening Presentations from the MSU Extension (June 7, July 19 & August 9)

Register to join MSU Extension staff on 3 evenings to learn about a variety of topics including:

June 7, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Captivating Combinations
-with Rebecca Finneran, MSU Extension Senior Horticulture Educator

Nothing thrills a gardener more than beautiful plant combinations and garden designs. Join MSU Extension’s Senior Horticulture Educator, Rebecca Finneran on a visual exploration through gardens filled with colorful combinations of annuals, natives, shrubs and more.  Finneran will share her cavalcade of brilliant images of plants and designs captured during her vast travels that will tickle your senses.

July 19, 6:00 – 7:30
Designing your Smart Shoreline
-with Erick Elgin, MSU Extension Water Quality Educator
West Michigan gardeners appreciate how landscape activities affect their natural surroundings. Living on a lake or anywhere water moves into a stream or watershed can pose negative impacts through careless gardening activities.  Join MSU Extension’s Water Quality Educator Erick Elgin to explore design ideas to protect your shore lands with the right plants and well-thought-out landscape designs.

August 9, 6:00 – 7:30 pm
“Gardening on the Straight and Narrow”

-with Rebecca Finneran, MSU Extension Senior Horticulture Educator
Every landscape has one or two narrow spaces that are just plain difficult to design.  Whether it is a shady strip along your drive or a sunny street side planting, you can take advantage of dozens of plants that will fit the bill.  Join MSU Extension Senior Horticulture Educator in looking at inspiring ways to design your straight or narrow space.

To attend all sessions:  Register by June 6th to and save!!  All three sessions for $20.00!

Can’t attend all sessions?  To attend individual sessions:  Register by presentation date for $10.00  per presentation. 

Register at:  https://events.anr.msu.edu/SmartGardeningWIG/

You must be registered, and your balance paid in full to attend the presentations.