Pella’s Tulip Queen and Royal Court have spent the past six weeks promoting the Tulip City throughout the state.

The group including Queen Halle Van Vark and Jennifer Van Haaften, Jessa Bokhoven, Hannah Emmert, and Sophia Steenhoek have completed their annual tour and now will represent the community during the 82nd annual Tulip Festival.

Queen Van Vark says she’s excited to welcome everyone to the festivities.

“It’s been a lot of fun to just travel around and promote Tulip Time and we’ve gotten to know each other a lot better and also have developed a deeper respect for Tulip Time and all that goes into it,” she says. “We’re just really excited that it’s finally here.”

The 2017 Tulip Queen and Royal Court will be coronated Thursday at 1 p.m. on the Tulip Toren before the first Volks Parade at 2:30.

Tune into the official radio station of Tulip Time KNIA/KRLS for live updates throughout the 82nd festival as we broadcast live from the Big Red Radio.