Tulips by the thousands at Hofstra Dutch Festival

It’s tulip time once again. Those colorful blooms attract thousands each year to Hofstra University for one of Long Island’s enduring traditions, the Hofstra University Dutch Festival. The festival celebrates its 27th year on Sunday with its magnificent tulips that pay homage to the University’s Dutch heritage (Founder William S. Hofstra traced his roots to the the Dutch province of Friesland).

Hofstra is stepping it up on the South Campus as it welcomes visitors to jazz up springtime, with swinging music, a crafts fair, plant sale, children’s activities, and authentic Dutch food and beverages. At the center of it all: those many thousands – the number is actually around 10,000 – of tulips in bloom.

Headlining this jazz festival of sorts is the popular New York’s Most Dangerous Big Band, with the East End Trio, the Hofstra Jazz Ensemble, and the Hewlett High School Jazz Ensemble. Other entertainers include Magic Al Garber, Tiny the Clown, Katie’s Puppets, Wayne the Magnificent Magician, and Bob Cantwell and the Saturday Night Stompers.

“The tulips will be swaying and swinging to the sounds of some fabulous music,” proclaimed Bob Spiotto, executive producer of Hofstra Entertainment. “We’re excited and we think our audience will be excited.”

In keeping with that enthusiasm, festival organizers have introduced a new tradition by inviting a local high school jazz ensemble to “swing into spring” by performing for the festival audience. Hewlett High School’s Jazz Ensemble has received that honor for the second year in a row.

“We want to further our link to the community by reaching out to local schools,” Spiotto said. “The Hewlett Jazz Ensemble is an award-winning ensemble, with an impressive sound that everyone will enjoy.”