Community InitiativesMay 5

Elzinga & Volkers Debuts 12 ft. Mobile Wooden Shoes as Tulip Time Attraction for 70th Anniversary Celebration

HOLLAND, Mich. — Elzinga & Volkers (E&V), a leading provider of construction management services, celebrated the Company’s 70th anniversary by unveiling jumbo mobile wooden shoes as an exclusive Tulip Time attraction. In addition, the Company debuted its new book titled, Unmistakably Elzinga & Volkers; 70 Years of People, Projects & Passion, which recounts E&V’s 70 years of success in the construction business.

The mobile wooden shoe project, which began in April 2017, was developed as a new way for E&V to engage with the local community. The Company hopes to repurpose the shoes for future events and celebrations across West Michigan.

Some fun facts about the uniquely constructed wooden clogs include:

• The clogs are approximately 4 feet tall, 4 feet wide and 12 feet long – about the size of a sedan.
• The clogs were built on zero-turn Toro Time Cutter SS 4200s, allowing the operator to drive and turn in all directions.
• Construction started with a steel frame, a wood layer of white pine covered the steel. Plaster, fiber glass and bondo layers were added prior to painting.
• Total construction time was 945 man hours.

“These wooden clogs are nothing like you’ve ever seen before and we’re thrilled to debut our team’s handiwork during Tulip Time,” said Mike Novakoski, president and CEO of Elzinga & Volkers. “As contractors, we work with these materials every day and wanted to find a unique way to display our talents and contribute to Holland’s annual festivities.”

During the annual Tulip Time list of events, positioned across the street from one of the largest tulip fields in the city, attendees will be able to visit E&V, located at 86 E 6th St. in Holland, to take photos in front of a life-size Tulip-Time themed postcard and also with the jumbo wooden shoes.

Since 1929, the Tulip Time Festival is an annual event held in Holland, Mich. that honors the city’s founding Dutch settlers. The festival currently runs from the first Saturday in May through the second Saturday. Activities at the celebration include three parades, fireworks, a Dutch Market, various shows and concerts, a craft fair, klompen dancing, and street scrubbing. Additionally, thousands of tulips line the streets and fill special tulip gardens throughout the city.