Spring in the Harrison River Valley is a time of renewal, and nothing captures the season’s beauty quite like the Harrison Tulip Festival. A labour of love for Kate Onos-Gilbert, her husband Dave, and their children, this family-run festival is a celebration of vibrant colour, farming heritage, and a deep passion for flowers.
A Festival with Deep Roots
Before the festival came to be, the Onos family’s field of tulips grew solely to cultivate larger bulbs for their greenhouse operations. Operating Onos Greenhouses out of Rosedale, BC, they supply flowers and bulbs to distributors across Western Canada and the Northern U.S.
In 2006, Kate and Dave decided to open their flower fields to the public, allowing visitors to experience the breathtaking beauty firsthand. What began as a tulip farm has blossomed into a full-fledged festival experience, blending agriculture with awe-inspiring floral displays.
Originally launched as Tulips of the Valley on Seabird Island, the festival later moved to Chilliwack in 2017, where it became the Chilliwack Tulip Festival. Over the years, Onos Farms expanded their floral celebrations with the Chilliwack Sunflower Festival. In 2023, the Onos family purchased their farm in Agassiz, making it the new permanent home of the Harrison Tulip Festival. After settling into their new location, they introduced the Harrison Sunflower Festival and the Harrison Pumpkin Festival. While these events are currently on hiatus, they reflect the family’s ongoing passion for creating memorable experiences that celebrate the beauty of each season.
While the annual festival showcases the breathtaking beauty of the blooms, Onos Farms is much more than a seasonal attraction—it continues to operate as a working farm with year-round operations. Onos Greenhouses continues to cultivate these tulip bulbs, growing stunning blooms that are sold far and wide.
Today, that rich history and dedication to farming come to life in a festival experience unlike any other.
More Than a Field of Flowers
Whether you visit early, mid, or late season, you’ll find acres of colourful tulips set against the majestic backdrop of Mount Cheam. Early spring varieties bloom alongside fragrant hyacinths and stunning double daffodils, filling the air with sweet aromas and adding even more layers of colour to the fields.
A must-see at the new farm is the whimsical Secret Garden—a hidden gem brimming with an impressive variety of tulips, hyacinths, delicate fritillaria, double daffodils, and even miniature grape hyacinths. Scattered throughout the garden are inviting benches and swings, a charming gazebo, and other picturesque photo-ops, making it the perfect spot to relax and soak in the beauty around you.
Beyond the Secret Garden, the festival offers even more opportunities to explore and enjoy, with picturesque swings, raised platforms, and scenic pathways designed to help you capture every breathtaking view. Make sure to stop by the on-site Farm Shop, where you can take a piece of the festival home—from fresh-cut flowers and potted tulips to bulbs for growing your own blooms, along with a wide variety of souvenirs.
Onos Farms is a place where beauty and hard work go hand in hand, and nowhere is that more evident than at the Harrison Tulip Festival. Experience the Onos family’s passion for farming and flowers—visit this spring!
Visit the Harrison Tulip Festival this Spring!
Learn more about Onos Farms & the Harrison Tulip Festival!
