Date: Apr 13, 2011

Hofstra Celebrates 28th Annual Dutch Festival

Sunday, May 1, 2011, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Renowned Dutch vocalist Fleurine will perform at the Dutch Festival on May 1.

HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY, HEMPSTEAD, NY ... One of Long Island’s favorite traditions, the Hofstra University Dutch Festival, will celebrate its 28th year on Sunday, May 1, 2011. The festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with swinging jazz music, thousands of tulips in bloom, face-painting, craft vendors and authentic Dutch food and beverages.
                                       
Featured performers include: the Long Island premiere of Fleurine, an award-winning Dutch vocalist, accompanied by an all-star Dutch band; New York’s Most Dangerous Big Band; The East End Trio; Bob Cantwell and the Saturday Night Stompers; and the Hofstra University Jazz Ensemble. The Hofstra Arboretum will also host its annual plant sale, and there will be fun activities for children.

Admission to the 28th annual Dutch Festival is $5 general public, $3 senior citizen and free for children 12 and under.

The public may call Hofstra’s Festival Hotline at (516) 463-6582 or visit www.hofstra.edu/Festivals for more information. For vendor information call Jessie Garcia at (516) 463-6504.

Guests may also visit hofstra.edu/festivals or become a fan of Hofstra University Festivals on Facebook.

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Dutch Festival History: In a memo written on January 30, 1984, Hofstra’s then-President James M. Shuart proposed an “annual Dutch-oriented flower exhibition with programs and exhibits of Dutch culture, foods and crafts...”

More than two decades later, the Dutch Festival has evolved into one of the University’s biggest and most popular events, attracting thousands of visitors to Hofstra the first Sunday of every May, rain or shine. Every year, when the weather is cooperative, the Dutch Festival boasts thousands of tulips all over the South Campus. There are also food and craft vendors and a wide assortment of children’s activities and live music and dance entertainment.

Prior to the first Hofstra Dutch Festival in May 1984, the University teamed up with Nassau County to present a two-day spring festival at Westbury Gardens in 1980. This weekend celebration also paid tribute to New York’s Dutch heritage and featured tulips in bloom and performances by the Hofstra Music Department and rifle honor guard. Another important development for the Dutch Festival was the introduction of the Hofstra University Tulip. On October 3, 1985, Dr. Cornelius Boertien, commissioner for the Queen of the Netherlands to the Province of Zeeland, formally designated and presented to Hofstra the first bulbs of this flower hybrid named for the University. It has since become a spring staple for the Hofstra Arboretum.

Many people believe that Hofstra’s first Dutch connection was William S. Hofstra, for whom the University is named. He and his wife, Kate, made their home in the building that is now Hofstra Hall, located in the center of the South Campus. Mr. Hofstra was extremely proud of his Dutch heritage, and Hofstra University has always maintained a strong connection with the Netherlands.
                                       
During the dark days of 1939, only four years after Hofstra opened for classes, the Dutch ambassador to the United States honored Hofstra by leaving his country’s flag with the college for safekeeping for the duration of World War II.  Hofstra consequently modeled its school colors, the Hofstra seal, coat of arms and many other Hofstra symbols after Dutch insignia.

The influence and contributions of the Dutch cannot be denied or diminished in New York history or Hofstra history. So it is for many reasons that Hofstra is proud to have nurtured its Dutch connection and continues to host the annual Dutch Festival.

Related Link: Dutch Festival