Mark Your Calendars
Experience the joy of the 2024 Poster Unveiling event for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival on November 15, 2023! Sponsored by Heritage Bank, this event promises to be a magical celebration of art and community. Here’s what you can look forward to.
Event: 2024 Poster Unveiling
Date: November 15, 2023
Time: 5:00pm – 7:30pm
Location: Skagit Acres- 18923 Johnson Rd, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
EXCITING HIGHLIGHTS:
A Grand Unveiling: Witness the official unveiling of the 2023 poster, featuring a beautiful photo by local photographer Gary Brown. He has masterfully captured the essence of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. To learn more about Gary and his background, read on below.
Exclusive Merchandise: Explore a wide range of festival merchandise, featuring the brand new poster art as well as new festival logo items. From t-shirts to posters, magnets, mugs, and more, you’ll find the perfect keepsake to remember the festival by.
Culinary Delights: Delight your taste buds with mouthwatering goodies from some of your favorite local restaurants and vendors, including Shawn O’Donnell’s, Skagit Landing Restaurant, Big Scoop, Willowbrook Manor, Skagit River Brewery, Schuh Farms and more!
Official Products: Discover and support Skagit Valley businesses as they showcase their official products, each designed specifically for the Tulip Festival. You’ll find jewelry from Warren Jewelers, candles from Salty Farms Candle Company, hemp products from Skagit Organics/Natural Care, chocolate bars from Forte Chocolate (with samples), lotion and bath salts from C.LeeFranks Candles & More, tea and scones from Willowbrook Manor, and more.
Artist Signings: Meet the talented photographer Gary Brown and get your posters signed. This is a unique opportunity to connect with the creative mind behind the festival’s iconic poster.
Meet the New Executive Director: We are thrilled to introduce you to our new Executive Director, Nicole Roozen. Join us as we welcome Nicole and hear about her vision for the future of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with our festival’s new leadership.
Join us on November 15th at Skagit Acres as we celebrate the vibrant beauty of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.
MORE ABOUT OUR POSTER ARTIST, GARY BROWN:
“Farmland has been my focus. I live on it. My friends work on it.”
Gary Brown’s story is a testament to the beauty and inspiration found in Skagit Valley. For 45 years, he and his wife, Susan, have lived in this scenic area, nestled between Mount Vernon and La Conner. Gary described his home as a living canvas, where the windows serve as frames to the ever-changing play of light and shadow.
Once a physician and now retired, Gary’s journey in photography began in the 4th grade with a “Brownie Starflex Outfit.” The significance of photography was instilled in him as a child, as he observed his parents capturing moments at various family gatherings and quickly understood the importance of preserving these special memories through photos.
Gary’s creative process relies on serendipity and deliberate contemplation. He often keeps a camera in his car, seizing opportunities to capture the beauty of the Skagit Valley during his daily commutes. The changing scenes of planting and harvesting, with a vast variety of crops, have been his primary focus.
When asked about his top five inspirations in the valley, Gary’s list includes light, land, people, weather, and sky. These elements serve not only as visual inspirations but also as sources of deep reflection and metaphorical significance. His photography has helped him appreciate the beauty that often goes unnoticed in the midst of daily routines.
Gary is honored to provide the image for the 2024 Tulip Festival Poster, promising an intriguing story to accompany it. Join us at the unveiling event to hear more!
A striking contrast- photo captured by Gary
This event wouldn’t be possible without our amazing sponsor, Heritage Bank.
