February 10 2012

Aliyah Zullo and Patrick Close became the 2012 Key Bank Tulip Ambassadors for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Aliyah and Patrick will make appearances throughout March and April on behalf of the festival. Their duties will include meeting the governor, greeting visitors at the PACCAR open house, being part of the Tulip Parade and meeting the fans of the Tulip Festival at the opening gala.

A total of 93 fourth and fifth graders in Skagit County applied to try out as ambassadors; Patrick and Aliyah were chosen from 70 competitors the night of the February 9 event. Patrick is a 5th grader at Mount Erie Elementary School and Aliyah is a 5th grader at Island View Elementary. They won the ambassador title by answering two questions: Why do you want to be a Tulip Ambassador and a second question drawn at random. A panel of 5 judges from the festival Board of Directors scored them on a variety of criteria, including their responses to the 2 questions.

The first official appearance for the duo was at the Whale Radio Station in Anacortes. To hear the podcast of their interview,  click here and go to Podcasts/Friday Morning Swim.

Several local businesses helped to contribute to the night, including the event sponsor Key Bank who brought personnel in to help with the event. Brian Geer, Relationship Manager for Key Bank, was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. In addition, Oasys contributed the event programs, Washington Bulb Company donated the daffodils and tulips for the evening, Details Unlimited did the balloon decor, Warren Jewelry gave the ambassadors official tulip jewelry pieces and Cascade Mall provided the venue.

The Children’s Museum of Skagit County hosted the activities for the candidates to do while they awaited their turn on the main stage.