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The 2010 Pella Tulip Time Queen and court visited the statehouse in Des Moines Thursday. The young ladies visited both the Iowa House and Senate as guests of local Senator Paul McKinley of Chariton and State Representative Jim Van Engelenhoven of Pella. Van Engelenhoven says the annual visit by the Tulip Time Royalty is always a highlight for Iowa lawmakers.

“I’ve been there now 12 years, and they’ve looked forward to it every year I’ve been there, and I can just say the young ladies are great ambassadors for our area,” said Van Engelenhoven. “We need to be proud of those ladies that they take time out of their schedules and their parents come along, and I think it’s really a good gesture. Obviously they bring Dutch pastries along and everyone is welcome to partake.”

Tulip Queen Heidi Schulte and court members Morgan Anderson, Courtney Kelderman, Bekah Posthuma and Sara Van Gorp brought Dutch pastries for lawmakers and invited members of both chambers to visit Pella for the 75th Annual Tulip Festival, with support from both Representative Van Engelenhoven and Senator McKinley.

Senator McKinley echoed Van Engelenhoven’s sentiments, stating, “I am very proud to represent the city of Pella here in the Iowa Senate and am absolutely delighted to have the 2010 Pella Tulip Queen and her court here [at the statehouse]. It is always wonderful when our communities all across Iowa come together and celebrate their heritage and commemorate their history.”

This year’s 75th Annual Tulip Festival will take place May 6th, 7th and 8th and includes an attempt at a world record for people dancing in wooden shoes.

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