Bringing Your Group to Thistles: Tour Buses & Private Parties in Pella
One of my favorite parts of owning Thistles is throwing open our doors to a group and watching the whole building come alive. We've hosted tour buses and private parties as large as 50 people, and our space is built to handle it — when a group is that big, we love splitting everyone up and rotating through two or three experiences at once, so nobody's standing around waiting for their turn.
Here's what we usually build a group visit around:
Tulip Bulb Masterclass & the History of Pella
This one's always a hit. In about 25 minutes (plus time for questions), we walk through the history of tulip bulbs and the many varieties we grow, with photos and details along the way. Then we get into the story of Pella itself — how tulip bulbs became such a big part of our city gardens and our Tulip Time festival, and our community's ongoing connection to the Netherlands, even generations after Pella was founded.
Chocolate Tasting (with an optional Wine Pairing)
Our chocolatiers make every Garden Square Chocolatier truffle in house, using French chocolate and techniques inspired by European craftsmanship. We'll walk your group through how that chocolate is made, share some seasonal favorites, and talk about what actually goes into crafting a truffle. If you want to upgrade the experience, we can add on a wine pairing with our friends from The Wijn House.
Flower Arranging
Guests can build their own arrangement in a vase or wrap a bouquet to take home — a relaxed, hands-on favorite for groups who want something a little more creative.
Candle Making
We've got the perfect setup for this one — guests gather around our design station and craft their own candle, choosing from a variety of scents to make it their own.
Whatever mix of experiences your group chooses, we've got you covered with plenty of seating, tables, and restrooms so everyone's comfortable from start to finish. And as a little thank-you, everyone who attends a private party or tour bus experience gets 10% off merchandise in our shop that day.
No two groups are exactly alike, so we don't believe in a one-size-fits-all package. Reach out and tell us about your group, and we'll help build an experience made just for you.
— Alie
