Tulip Time's Governor's Luncheon will be without the governor this year and get a new name. Organizers snagged Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund as the guest of honor for the re-dubbed Tulip Time Festival Luncheon.
"It's a luncheon that has a long-standing tradition and there's a long-standing expectation in the community. ... It was a change of considerable magnitude for us," Tulip Time Executive Director Tamra Bouman said.
"To be able to secure her appearance and bring her to Tulip Time with such short notice is something we feel very good about," she said about Haglund.
Haglund will speak at the May 7 luncheon and show off her singing talents, Tulip Time organizers said. She will then ride in a horse-drawn carriage in the Volksparade.
"Once we received the notice from her office, we paused, we regrouped," Bouman said about the governor.
The governor's scheduling office notified festival organizers a few weeks ago of a conflict.
"We're not in a position to talk about why the governor is not attending, only that she is not attending," said Press Secretary Liz Boyd, later adding Granholm would be overseas. "When we do, we're certain everyone will understand the choices that had to be made."
The announcement could come as soon as next week, she said.
As governor, Granholm attended every Volksparade except in 2003. She was in Washington, D.C., for transportation funding hearings and attended the Saturday parade.
"The governor has always enjoyed her visits to the tulip festival," Boyd said
IF YOU GO
WHEN: 11:45 a.m. May 7
WHERE: Dow Center, Hope College, 168 E. 13th St.
COST: $35 per person. Tickets may be purchased at the Tulip Time offices, 238 S. River Ave., or by calling (800) 822-2770. Beginning April 15, tickets may be purchased online at tuliptime.com.
Source: http://www.hollandsentinel.com