H troops played in liberating the Netherlands. The floral gift that began in 1945 estab- lished Ottawa as the Tulip Capital of North America. Frijters, meanwhile, plans to have his tulip completed by the end of April. "I can only work on it a little bit each day ... because the pain is too much. But I'll get it done and to Ottawa on time," he said. "I don't think I'll be able to make the trip down to see it with the other pieces, but I'm certainly honoured to be a part of the celebration. This year's Canadian Tulip Festival, to be held May 5-23, commemorates the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and Holland's gift of tulips to Canada. The event is considered the largest tulip festival in the world, with millions of tulips in bloom at sites throughout the National Capi- tal Region. A shuttle service runs each week- end of the festival, stopping at five official sites. On May 21, the last Saturday of the festival, Dows Lake will feature a nighttime flotilla of illuminated boats. And the following day dec- orated boats will parade on the Rideau Canal. For information: 1-800-66-TULIP or 613- 567-4447, www.tulipfestival.ca. Also during the festival, on the weekend of May 7-8, the Canadian War Museum will cele- brate its grand opening with an open house and special programming. Go to www.warmu- seum.ca for details. o O"u> c; )