She’s the person behind the music of Tulip Time… and at Friday night’s Feesthouden festivities, she was honored for her years of service to the annual celebration in Pella.

Judy Steenhoek was named the 2021 Tulip Time Volunteer of the Year by the Steering Committee. Steenhoek was a Tulip Queen 54 years ago, and since then, has served in a variety of roles, from float construction to Tulip Court mom to the organ player for the music played during the Tulip Queen coronation and Dutchesses performances.

Steenhoek also created several songs for the Feesthouden festivities, including “We are the Kids of Pella, Iowa,” which is sung each year by Pella Community School District students when there have been parades. Hear more from Steenhoek on the Let’s Talk Pella podcast, featured on Friday’s show.