A Tulip Time favorite is returning to the Pella Opera House this year with a new actress presenting the one-woman live production.

Central College Counselor and local actress Anne McCollough Kelly will portray Pella’s founding mother Maria Scholte in “The Reluctant Pioneer” each day of Tulip Time at 10 am. The show shares the history of Scholte and how she made a new home in Pella after coming to the United States from the Netherlands. Anne said she was excited to be approached about putting on this production and to tell the story of one of Pella’s founding members.

“I would say I feel just very privileged and grateful that Beverly Graves and Cyndi Atkins approached me a year ago asking if I would be willing to take on this role portraying Maria Scholte as the Reluctant Pioneer for our guests and visitors during Tulip Time.”

Hear more about “The Reluctant Pioneer” from Anne McCollough Kelly on today’s Let’s Talk Pella. Tickets for the performance cost $10 and can be purchased here.