More than 100,000 tulip bulbs have been planted for the 65th annual Albany Tulip Festival, set for Mothers’ Day Weekend in Washington Park, Albany, New York (map).

Hours both May 11 and 12, 2013, are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (that’s for the food, music “and more” — the flowers blossom at their own pace). It’s open to the public free of charge.

Saturday afternoon features the crowning of the Albany Tulip Queen and her court, who spend their year of reign involved in volunteer projects, community functions, book drives and help develop initiatives to further the Mayor’s Literacy Campaign.

In 1948, Erastus Corning II, the Mayor of Albany, declared the Tulip the “official flower of Albany”. Following that, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands honored the Mayor’s request and designated the variety of tulip, known as the “Orange Wonder” to be the tulip of Albany.

For more information on visiting Albany, go online.

(Photo courtesy of Albany Tulip Festival)