In 1847, a group of Dutch seeking religious freedom left the Netherlands and settled in this area because its sand dunes and fertile land reminded them of their homeland. Today much of the population is of Dutch descent, as evidenced by the mid-May Tulip Time Festival, which features millions of tulips, wooden shoemaking, dancing, and Dutch delicacies. The town prides itself on being the center of Dutch culture in the United States. The city is located at the mouth of the Black River, on the shores of Lake Macatawa, and has developed a resort colony along the shores of Lakes Macatawa and Michigan.