This past season was the last year for Skagit Acres, a final goodbye filled with Santa, their popular holiday gift shop and closing out with a huge sale. The property on Peter Johnson Road was sold to the Van Wingerden Greenhouse. Both parties are excited about what the future holds.
“This transition lets us reimagine Tulip Town as a year-round experience, not just a seasonal stop,” shares Tulip Town owner Rachael Sparwasser. “We can’t wait to share what’s coming.”
As part of the transition, the name Skagit Acres will be dropped from use completely. Tulip Town will now host the beloved winter events, including Santa. Condensing to one location is allowing the owners to create one farm that has year-round events for visitors and residents of Skagit. They are planning on expanding offerings to include seasonal markets, creative workshops and community events.
“This is about growth, creativity, and community,” says Rachael. “We’re creating a place that reflects everything people love about Skagit Valley, and gives them more reasons to visit, again and again.”
The move will allow Tulip Town to create new ways to celebrate Skagit Valley’s beauty and cultures throughout the seasons, shares Rachael.
And for tulip season 2026? Rachael says: “The fields will be alive with magical tulips, the beer/wine garden will be open, the iconic trolley will be taking visitors to see the tulips up close and dogs will still be free to visit!”
New Garden Center Opening March 2026 on Peter Johnson Road
The purchase of the Peter Johnson Road property marks the start of a plan years in the making for brothers Tom and Joe Van Wingerden of Van Wingerden Home and Garden. “We have been searching for a site to start our second garden location for several years now,” shares Tom. “We first approached the owners of Skagit Acres back in October of 2024. The reason we were interested in this site was because it was already operable as a garden center and it was a natural next step for us geographically.”
Their first location is in Blaine, Washington, making Skagit County a natural expansion. “We were able to come to an agreement over the following two years and now we are excited to make it our home,” he adds.
The location will be a retail location, selling plants directly to customers. All wholesale accounts will continue to be filled out of their Blaine and Lynden facilities.
They currently already work with several Skagit County organizations that resell their hanging baskets as fundraisers. “This garden center will serve as a hub for many of our fundraiser group customers to come and select their baskets straight out of the greenhouse,” adds Tom. “As a family business, we are very much focused on the people and the plants.”
Van Wingerden Home and Garde’s grand opening will take place on March 7, 2026. The public is invited to celebrate as they officially move into Skagit County. “We are thrilled to finally be a part of the beautiful Skagit Valley,” shares Tom. “We have done business for some time with the farmers, fundraisers, and other businesses in the valley, so we already feel that it is our home. VW’s Skagit will be an amazing opportunity for us to serve the people of Skagit Valley and we really hope to carry on the legacy that lives on at this property.”
For the 2026 Tulip Festival, Tom says they will be open but will not be selling tickets. They will have plants for sale, of course!
To stay up to date about their grand opening, follow them on Instagram or visit the Van Wingerden Home and Garden website.
Van Wingerden Home and Garden
18923 Johnson Rd Suite B, Mount Vernon
