Waterdrinker Tulip Festival blooming in Riverhead and Manorville this spring

Picture 10 acres populated with 2 million flowers in rows of colors ranging from yellow and purple to orange and red. This is what Long Islanders will encounter at Waterdrinker Family Farm & Garden’s Tulip Festival in Manorville, which begins Saturday, as well as its  second location in Riverhead.

"We close for a few months and then reopen to our busiest season of the year, so we hit the ground running," co-owner Brittney Weiss says. "Tulip bulbs were planted in November for the first frost and we expect them to bloom around the weekend of April 18 but it’s always up to Mother Nature. We’re hoping that they remain in bloom through the first week of May, at least."

The tulips are planted in rows of color almost making stripes in the field, with walkways between each. Visitors come for the photo-ops as well as the U-pick opportunities.

"Each tulip is 18 to 20 inches tall and it’s $1 a stem. People like to make mix and match bouquets," Wess says. "It’s important to switch the water out frequently, trim the stems often — and there’s a rumor that if you put a penny in the bottom of the vase, the copper from the penny helps keep the tulips alive longer."

EASY TO GROW

Despite their fragile-seeming beauty, tulips are surprisingly low maintenance.

"We don’t have to water them; we rely on April showers. There’s no fertilizing, we used our natural soil," co-owner Marc Weiss says. "Long Island has the kind of soil that tulips are looking for. It’s a sandy soil that allows for more drainage. There aren’t any pockets of air, which can cause disease."

The tulip festival came on the scene in 2019, but its popularity increased significantly during the pandemic.

"Our slogan during COVID was, ‘Where flowers bloom so does hope,’ " Marc says.

Brittney adds, "People took in the positivity that the tulips scene brought to them. Since then, it has become a Long Island tradition and the popularity has grown over the years."

WHAT'S NEW

New this year will be 24 panel boards spread throughout the property educating visitors about the tulips.

"We’re looking to incorporate a museum-type experience," Marc says. "There will be giant exhibition boards laid out throughout the festival where you can learn about different varieties of tulips. The panel boards tell the story of the tulips as you meander through the fields."

FUN THINGS TO DO

In addition to the tulips, there will be family-oriented activities at each farm. In Manorville, visitors can view, not pet or feed, live animals such as pigs, goats, alpacas, donkeys, emus, peacocks, tortoises, chickens and rabbits, while Riverhead has goats, tortoises and rabbits. Get involved in some lawn games such as cornhole or giant Jenga, then play with giant Legos and bounce on jumbo jump pads for both kids and adults. There’s a nine-hole mini golf course, an obstacle course, a bouncy bull riding pen and a wooden playground with slides.

If all that activity gets you hungry, visit the Waterdrinker food tent, which offers snacks ($5-$10). On the weekend, food trucks will be available, like the Lil’ Tin Shed, which serves freshly cooked burgers ($10-$18). Those 21 and over can take their pick at the Long Island Farm Brewery serving up 10 different drafts ($9) including the signature Dutch Pilsner and Tulip Fest Beer. The brewery is open Friday-Sunday in Riverhead. Live music occurs Saturday and Sunday.

Do some shopping at the greenhouse, where there’s a sale on potted tulips bulbs, hyacinths, daffodils and other spring plants. Plus, the Gift Barn will be selling tulip festival T-shirts ($20), mugs ($20) and magnets ($3).

The festival is open rain or shine unless conditions become unsafe. However, overcast weather is actually hoped for.

"Cloudy days are best for photography," Brittney says. "They tend to be less busy and the lighting is perfect for taking photos."