Tulip Time edges out Mackinac Island's Lilac Festival as Best Flower Festival in America

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Tulip Time was named Best Flower Festival in America by USA Today in its "10 Best" series. The Lilac Festival on Mackinac Island came in second place. The results were determined by public vote.

(Courtesy photo)

And the winner is....

Tulip Time!

The annual festival that features about 4.5 million tulips and attracts more than 200,000 visitors each year beat out another popular Michigan festival in USA Today's "10 Best" series of America's Best Flower Festival.

"We're honored to have been voted the favorite flower festival in the nation by USA TODAY Travel's 10 Best competition! Thank you so much for your votes...we're looking forward to a fabulous 2016 celebration May 7-14!" said a post on Tulip Time's Facebook page.

Coming in second place was Mackinac Island's annual Lilac Festival.

USA Today's Top 10 Best Flower Festivals:

1. Tulip Time - Holland, Mich.
2. Mackinac Island Lilac Festival - Mackinac Island, Mich.
3. Rose Parade - Pasadena, Calif.
4. Dallas Blooms - Dallas
5. North Carolina Azalea Festival - Wilmington, N.C.
6. Historic Garden Week in Virginia - Virginia
7. Portland Rose Festival - Portland, Ore.
8. Daffodil Festival - Tacoma, Wash.
9. Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival - Orlando
10. International Cherry Blossom Festival - Macon, Ga.

A panel of experts picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.

Tulip Time is May 7-14, 2016. More info at tuliptime.com. I'll be back again this year to walk in the Volksparade Parade on May 11.

The Lilac Festival is June 3-12, 2016. More info at mackinacisland.org. I'll be there, too. I will emcee the Lilac Festival Parade on June 12 with my buddy Amy Sherman.

John Gonzalez is a statewide entertainment writer for MLive. He covers food, beer, travel, events and coordinates Michigan's Best with MLive's Amy Sherman. Email him at gonzo@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

Complete Michigan travel, destination and event information available via Michigan.org

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