Pella Tulip Queen and Royal Court Debut Spring Performance

Annual Tulip Time festival preview features new queen and court members.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

The 2026 Pella Tulip Queen, Kenzie Kanis, and her Royal Court of Riley Braafhart, Addie Van Arendonk, Abbie Brand, and Lexi Terpstra will preview their annual debut performance on March 24th at the Pella Opera House, kicking off the 91st annual Tulip Time festival.

Why it matters

The Pella Tulip Time festival is a beloved annual tradition that celebrates the town's Dutch heritage and draws thousands of visitors each spring. The debut of the new Tulip Queen and Royal Court is an eagerly anticipated kickoff to the festivities.

The details

The Tulip Queen and her Royal Court will showcase their talents and share details about the upcoming Tulip Time events during their debut performance at the historic Pella Opera House on March 24th. The five-member court was selected through a competitive process to represent Pella and promote the 91st annual festival.

  • The debut performance will take place on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
  • The 91st annual Pella Tulip Time festival is scheduled for May 2026.

The players

Kenzie Kanis

The 2026 Pella Tulip Queen.

Riley Braafhart

A member of the 2026 Pella Tulip Royal Court.

Addie Van Arendonk

A member of the 2026 Pella Tulip Royal Court.

Abbie Brand

A member of the 2026 Pella Tulip Royal Court.

Lexi Terpstra

A member of the 2026 Pella Tulip Royal Court.

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What’s next

The Tulip Queen and Royal Court will participate in various Tulip Time events and parades throughout the festival in May 2026.

The takeaway

The annual Pella Tulip Time festival is a cherished tradition that celebrates the town's Dutch heritage, and the debut of the new Tulip Queen and Royal Court marks the start of another exciting year of festivities for the community.