Alaaf! Carnival party erupts in the region

Everything will take place in Achterveld this year, except for the traditional parade. “In December we had already decided that that was not feasible,” says Ben Houtveen of carnival association De Puupenkoppen. “But otherwise tonight we have Big Carnival for everyone from 16 years old. We expect about 900 people, because we managed to test for access in the village. It was quite a struggle to get that done, but it So you have to prove tonight that you have been tested negative and there has been a positive response.”

There will also be a party in Achterveld tomorrow, including the presentation of the Krentenpuup. “That is the highest award for the volunteer who does a lot of volunteer work in the village. And then we award the Zilveren Schuimspaan to someone who has been working in the catering industry for years during Carnival.” The children’s carnival is also organized for children, followed by the PK party (adolescents, ed.) for young people who are in secondary school. “And on Sunday there is a carnival mass and after that we go for coffee and there is a kind of pub crawl,” says Houtveen.

There is also a full program in ‘t Goy. “We already went to primary school this morning, tomorrow evening we have children’s afternoons and in the evening we organize Gouwe Ouwe for people over 40. Then we have Great Carnival”, chairman Jeroen Schooneveld of carnival association De Laetste Stuyver sums up the activities. “Sunday morning we then have a carnival walking parade and then we go into the hall with the little ones.”

The activities in ‘t Goy, but also in other places, had to be organized reasonably last minute because the relaxation of the corona measures was only announced on 15 February. “But luckily we have a small close-knit group and a catering entrepreneur who cooperated well, so that we were able to arrange a lot in a short time,” says Schooneveld.

Also in Rhenen, the local carnival association noticed that it was still a challenge to put on an entire carnival party at the last minute. “We only had two weeks, of course, so I’m so happy that we were able to organize a party,” says Bart van Breenen of carnival association de Cúnehearen. “You think that no one has anything to do, but if it can go loose, everyone will book and it is very difficult to book another A-artist. But in the end we have a nice program.”

That program started last night and continues tonight. “We will first organize a carnival Friday afternoon snack in the pub in Elst and at 8.11 pm the big Prinsenbal will start in Ouwehands Dierenpark. Artists will perform, we have the mop orchestra de Knaoiers from Puifdijk and our court singer Ben Sproet will perform. it’s a nice feast.”

Van Wee: “Every evening we have a DJ and every time a different artist comes along. And on Sunday during the day we have a bicycle puzzle tour that we had already organized before the relaxation was relaxed. There are actually two: one is a transfer event at eleven different places where people get a drink, the other route is a puzzle tour that you can do with your family or friends, where you have to dress up on the bike.”

In Harmelen, all parties are organized in Ons Dezibel. “Today and yesterday we have already started visiting schools and the sick and tomorrow afternoon we will receive the thunderheads”, says Tim Sistermans of carnival association De Kwakbollen. “These are the youngsters from Harmelen. We have put together a nice program for them. Then in the evening it is time for the carnival party, where we expect more young people. And on Sunday we start at 2 p.m. and we look until what time it is. is going to be. So a big fun gang of course!”

Just like in ‘t Goy, activities are also organized in Odijk for the youngest partygoers. That happens with the children’s carnival in the sports hall of the Dorpshuis. There are bouncy castles, a children’s play paradise, there are dancers and in a corner of the hall children up to the age of 12 can receive dance lessons to be trained as a dance marieke. “We have not been able to recruit new dance girls in recent years, so we will make an extra effort tomorrow,” said chairman Bjorn van Beek.

But first there will be a kick-off tonight at 8 p.m. with ‘Proud to be wrong’. On Saturday evening it is then time for the Demasqué Ball. Van Beek: “Usually this evening is related to a theme that is chosen by the prince and the president, but they were not presented this year. So that is why people can fill in what they do themselves. An official jury will then judge who is the best dressed. So it’s a night like old times, but without a theme.”

A special tradition of the carnival association in Odijk is the Graven visit on Sunday morning. Van Beek: “The current members also visit the members who have left us. This year there are thirteen people. We then lay down flowers and we have a short word, followed by a closing drink in the pub.”

In IJsselstein, the pubs will usher in the carnival weekend tonight, followed by a big party on the Podiumterrein for 1200 people. “The Rossig Brothers, Mustard after the meal and some local singers are on the program there. And of course our own Dennis Baars who makes and sings our own carnival song every year,” said chairman Jos Epping of De Badeendjes.