U.S. Senator Joni Ernst visited Tulip Time for the first time Friday. Ernst briefly addressed the grandstand crowd as she scrubbed the streets before participating in the parade. Ernst says she enjoyed her time in the Tulip City.

“I think it is magnificent, I am having such a great time,” Ernst says. “Of course, I think the first part of the morning here, we’ve been eating our way across the city of Pella, but some delicious goodies out there, and now we’re going to do some street sweeping and participate in the parade.”

Each year, elected officials attend the Tulip Time Celebration and are honored as dignitaries during the afternoon parade. Governor Kim Reynolds will be in attendance this afternoon.