It's 20 minutes after 2 p.m., and Albany's annual Tulip Festival is already crowded.

Right now, the Black and White Years, kind of a quirky rock band with a bass player you can hear all over Washington Park, are on the main stage. The lawn is just about full; sometimes sunny, sometimes cloudy skies and a nice spring breeze are just what the Spin Doctors must have ordered!

The headlining Doctors will take the stage at 4:30 ... maybe the band's fans were here early for the prime positions!

I'm sitting under a maple tree, all by myself, between Washington Avenue and that crowded patch of green. I'm near the playground, and close to a giant, inflated space ship that kids are exploring.

Rains predicted for Friday never appeared. The no-show raindrops the last bunch of cool nights must have helped the 90,000 tulips in the park keep their composure. The beds are bright and colorful.

Beach balls are bouncing in front of the Black and White team, which is really tossing out a nice set!

Think I'm going to bounce around the vendors' alleys ... which are also packed right now.

Think I need some candles back home.