Tulip Festival Ambassador Program
Ambassadors honor the celebration at events, meet community leaders, tour tulip gardens and forge unforgettable memories. Children develop skills and education like public speaking and civic engagement along the way.
This cherished tradition fosters confidence, leadership and self-assurance in Skagit County while creating lasting memories for participants and their families.
What Is the Tulip Festival Ambassador Program?
- It’s a youth leadership program for Skagit County fourth and fifth graders.
- We choose Ambassadors each February during a community audition event in La Conner.
- Winners represent the festival throughout April at various events and engagements.
- Participants have once-in-a-lifetime experiences, like private tulip farm tours and a visit with the governor in Olympia.
Your child sees benefits beyond engaging with their peers and getting hands-on learning.
Key Ambassador Benefits
These are just some of the advantages students gain as Tulip Festival Ambassadors.
Public Speaking Experience
Build self-reliance while presenting at events and media appearances.
Represent Skagit County and learn from community leaders.
Learn about local agriculture and regional traditions through in-person interaction.
Celebrate and promote a beloved Pacific Northwest tradition.
Create lifelong memories and bonds with fellow participants.
Tulip Ambassador Events and Experiences
- Private tours of all four tulip gardens with the farmers themselves
- Meet-and-greet with the governor
- Visit to the Washington State Capitol
- Speaking appearance on local radio and media events
- Participation in the Tulip Parade and Street Fair
- Attendance at exclusive community activities and open houses, like at PACCAR
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Executive Director Nicole Roozen coordinates matters in partnership with the winners’ parents.
Who Can Apply To Be a Tulip Ambassador?
The Skagit Valley Tulip Ambassador Program welcomes children with these qualities:
- Skagit County fourth and fifth graders
- Students who are available to attend the Tulip Ambassador Audition event in February
- Kids excited to meet new people, represent the festival and share tulip season with visitors
Please note participants must have a parent or guardian present to help with transportation to appearances.
How To Apply to the Program
Apply to the Tulip Ambassador Program in three simple steps:
- Download and complete the candidate form (parent or guardian signature required).
- Submit the candidate form via email or postal mail.
- Attend the Ambassador Audition event in February.
Here’s where to send your program application:
- Email jillian@tulipfestival.org
- Mail Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, P.O. Box 1784, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Walk-in candidates are welcome on audition day!
Feel free to reach out to us at 360-428-5959 if you need details or have questions.
How the Ambassador Audition Works
The Tulip Ambassador audition happens like this.
First, each student answers two questions:
- Why do you want to be a Tulip Ambassador?
- A surprise question that the judges choose.
Second, candidates wait with adult volunteers and take part in activities that the Skagit Valley Children’s Museum provides.
Third, when all presentations are complete, we invite everyone to have refreshments while the judges make their decision.
Finally, the judges select two ambassadors to represent the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.
Attend the Ambassador Audition Event
Meet the Recent Tulip Ambassadors
Every season, our Tulip Ambassadors bloom into bright, joyful representatives of community, growth and of course, tulips.
2026 Annual Ambassador Event – Calling Local 4th & 5th Graders
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Ambassador Program Sponsor
HF Sinclair Puget Sound Refinery proudly sponsors the Tulip Festival Ambassador Program.
Their support allows us at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival to provide students with valuable experiences. They build leadership, confidence and community pride, ensuring this tradition inspires generations to come.
Annual Tulip Ambassador Audition