Hudsonville Ice Cream in Holland, Michigan, Celebrates 100 Years with Tulip Times First-Ever Drone Show Spectacular May 9, 2026!

Photo courtesy of Hudsonville Ice Cream

Iconic Michigan brand to light up the night sky on May 9 with special synchronized drone show.

HOLLAND, Mich- Hudsonville Ice Cream is bringing its own birthday surprise to this year’s Tulip Time with a showstopping drone show set for Saturday, May 9, as part of the annual Tulip Time Festival. The skies above Kollen Park will light up with synchronized drones honoring Hudsonville’s 100 years of heritage and the West Michigan region it calls home. 

The drone show is the first of its kind at Tulip Time and will take place in the evening on May 9 prior to the annual fireworks show. 

“Reaching 100 years is a milestone we wanted to share with our community, because Holland has been such an important part of our story and our success,” said CJ Ellens of Hudsonville Ice Cream. “We’ve called Holland home for more than 20 years, and now Hudsonville Ice Cream is known throughout the country for our real premium ice cream, creative flavors and innovative partnerships. Sharing this drone show with our friends and neighbors is a small way for us to give back to our community and show our pride for our hometown.” 

Hudsonville is partnering with Sky Elements Drone Shows, the nation’s leading drone light show provider, for the sky-high performance, with up to 1,500 synchronized drones creating custom imagery tailored to Hudsonville and the Holland community. Hudsonville’s drill team will also lead off this year’s Quality Car Wash Volksparade and will hand out ice cream in Kollen Park following the parade. 

“We all know what a special community Holland is, and Hudsonville Ice Cream has made a tremendous impact on our city and our region throughout their 100 years,” said Gwen Auwerda, Executive Director of the Tulip Time Festival. “We are preparing for another memorable festival and we thank Hudsonville for being such an integral part of the experience this year with the introduction of this drone show.” 

Hudsonville Ice Cream was founded in 1926 in Hudsonville, Michigan, and was originally owned by a farmer cooperative in West Michigan. The Hoezee family purchased the company in 1946, owning and operating Hudsonville for 57 years and spanning three generations. In 2003, Denny and Scoob Ellens purchased Hudsonville Ice Cream from the Hoezee family, moving the company and its operations to Holland in 2004. 

Over the course of more than two decades,

the Ellens family grew the company to more than 300 team members, expanding its production and manufacturing facility to a state-of-the-art operation spanning more than 300,000 square feet. The company remains family owned and continues the giving spirit and values of humility, integrity and care implemented by Denny Ellens, who passed away unexpectedly in February. 

As part of its ongoing efforts to mark 100 years, Hudsonville has released a series of new flavors in its traditional family-size cartons, including Limited Edition Birthday Cake, Dirt Cake and Brownie Sundae, as well as Fruit Smoothie bars and Little Debbie Ice Cream Sandwiches.

For more information, visit hudsonvilleicecream.com. 

About Hudsonville Ice Cream 

Hudsonville makes real premium ice cream you can enjoy every day. Founded in Michigan 100 years ago, Hudsonville Ice Cream combines time-tested recipes with fresh milk and cream from local farms and other delicious ingredients to make the favorite flavors that have been loved for generations. This family-owned and operated company has revolutionized how ice cream is made, with the most progressive ice cream manufacturing facility in the country. Learn more at hudsonvilleicecream.com.