Leaving Coralville early this morning, we had a beautiful drive to Pella. Many of us from the prairies were "shocked" by the rolling hills and trees in Iowa. Once we got to Pella, we discovered that the tulips were at their peak, as were lilacs, flower crab and other blossoming trees. With a costumed step-on guide, we toured Pella, driving past its college, Pella Corporation, the city park with its plantings of tulips, health care and senior living facilities plus the neighborhoods and some of the 20 churches in this Dutch community. We ended our tour at the Pella Historical Village. Here we could tour the large Vermeer windmill, watch wooden shoes being made, walk through a flower show, listen to a calliope play, sample a Dutch letter with coffee and explore some of the early buildings of the community that have been moved to the village. We also had enough time to stroll downtown to shop or taste some of the Dutch
foods sold at stands set up along the side streets.
After an early lunch at one of the churches, we found our reserved seats for the afternoon. Unfortunately, the predicted light rain also found us, and for the coronation of the queen, presentation of costumes from the regions of the Netherlands and Dutch dances, we sat under umbrellas. But soon the sun came out, the umbrellas disappeared, and the rest of the day was sunny and actually very warm. The streets had been washed already by the rain, but by a vote (that included the audience) it was decided that the streets needed washing again. That was the signal for men, women, boys and girls, even toddlers, all in traditional Dutch costumes, to walk
down the main street. Some of the men and boys had buckets to fill with water and spill out on the street. Everyone else had brooms, and the street got thoroughly swept clean. Then followed the parade. The queen and her court. Officials in convertibles. Many marching bands. The
local school children, all in costume. One Dutch family with their 16 children. Pretty girls, the local Garden Club, school children and even a baby bear rode on floats of all descriptions. It was colorful, and it was fun.
Immediately after the parade we went out to Vermeer Corporation. This local family-owned business has a complex of about seven manufacturing buildings where they make farm machinery, trenching equipment, boring units and a long list of other products. Their visitor center had some very unique architecture, and our visit was so informative. We even enjoyed looking at their list of "White Elephants," ideas for equipment that were never successful.
Tonight we are on the west side of Des Moines, in a beautiful new hotel in a new development. A social hour gave us time to reflect on this full and exciting day.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director
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