Various events in the Netherlands

The summer holidays have already started in parts of the Netherlands. Other regions start at the end of this week. What could be better than having the holiday period coincide with a number of major events? And you don't have to travel far. No flying holidays, because there is so much to experience in your own country. In this blog, a number of suggestions throughout the country. There is bound to be something for everyone, and once you have been there, you can write about it as a new blogger. Isn't that a great combination?

July 16 Fortified town of Steenwijk

Steenwijk transforms into Spanish Ibiza this Wednesday. Come stroll through the hippie market and browse through flamboyant clothing, accessories, home decor, lifestyle and beauty products. Enjoy sultry, uplifting music and relax in the bustling fortified town. We assume the Spanish sun will not be missing this day! Fixed program Vestingfeesten

• Summer Fair (To reserve a spot as a stallholder CLICK HERE)
• Children's flea market from 8:00 AM (around the Grote Kerk and Kerkstraat). Find your own spot. No registration required.
• Live music
• Audio tour (The Judge's Gentlemen)
• Walk the interactive Fortress Route (Download Weerribben Wieden APP)
• Torenklimmen (tickets via City Museum)
• Visit the city museum
• Various exhibitions in the city center
• Fortress service in the Great Church
• Viewing of Villa Rams Woerthe (Tickets on arrival)

See: https://steenwijkvestingstad.nl/  

July 18, 19, 20 Mudflat walking via Brakzand to Schiermonnikoog

In the Netherlands, we know the Wadden primarily from the Wadden Sea, a nature reserve listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The name Wadden Sea was first used in the early 20th century for the northern part of what was then called the Zuiderzee. A characteristic feature of the Wadden is that at low tide, it becomes possible to walk across the seabed. As an organized form of exertion and relaxation, mudflat walking dates back to after 1945. The stamp sheet 'Typisch Nederlands – Wadden' features illustrations of iconic footprint shapes, constructed from the sole and heel of a shoe. Complete footprints are depicted on every stamp, as well as footprints that extend onto the other stamps and to the edge of the sheet. The seemingly randomly scattered footprints are grouped in a fixed pattern across the stamps. The 2023 stamps from the multi-year 'Typisch Nederlands' series were designed by Total Design from Amsterdam, just like the previous editions. All stamp sheets feature iconic shapes that best match the landmarks. For the Wadden Islands, these have become footprints, the visible proof that mudflat walkers have passed by. A typical shell shape has also been added to the footprints. From Lauwersoog, we first sail a short distance out into the Wadden Sea. The mudflat walk to Schiermonnikoog then begins on the Brakzand sandbank. It is a beautiful 3,5-hour walk over mainly hard sand. Along the way, there are several wadeable channels, and mud lies alongside the oyster and mussel beds. From the washing area on the island, we take the bus to the village. There, there is time for a drink on a terrace. In total, the trip takes approximately 8 hours. Includes boating, mudflat walking, use of the washing area, and bus transport on the island. For bookings, see: https://www.visitgroningen.nl/nl/plekken/wadlopen https://wadlopen-pieterburen.nl/vragen-over-wadlopen/bekijk-wadlooptochten/?bekijk=tocht&tochtid=3  

July 17 to 19, 62nd edition Bruinisse Fishery Days

Come and celebrate the ultimate summer festival in Bruinisse! For more than half a century, the Visserijdagen—known to insiders as 'the Mussel Festival'—have been a household name, drawing thousands of visitors from far and wide. This legendary village festival has put Bruinisse and all of Schouwen-Duiveland on the map as the place where festivities and tradition come together. Let yourself be enchanted by the festive arrival of Miss Visserij on Thursday afternoon at 2:00 PM, marking the start of three days full of fun and entertainment. Stroll along the street market where cozy stalls invite you to taste, shop, and discover. Let yourself be swept away by the diverse performances that make the heart of the village beat to the rhythm of music and dance.

The fair, with its lights and smiling faces, offers entertainment for young and old. And as the icing on the cake: the spectacular fireworks that light up the sky and form an unforgettable conclusion to your visit. Don't miss it! For three days, you can enjoy all the beauty the Fishing Days have to offer. This is the festival where stories are made and memories are cherished. We look forward to seeing you in Bruinisse, where the party is for everyone! See: https://www.visserijdagen-bruinisse.nl/  

Farmers' market every Thursday from July 17 to August 21 in Woudsend

Due to its unique location between the Heeger and Slotermeer lakes, the village of Woudsend is strongly focused on water sports. The many restored buildings, narrow alleys, surprising vistas, and the cozy village center invite you on a pleasant exploration of the old trading village, with its windmills, churches, galleries, Children's Art, and a labyrinth of streets. The village has retained the atmosphere of the past, with the comfort of the present!

The village is rich in dining options; you can visit various cafeterias and restaurants for snacks, fish, and culinary and Burgundian delights, among other things. During the day, you can moor for free in the new transient harbor; this makes the center easily accessible on foot for water sports enthusiasts. Various activities are organized in Woudsend throughout the year. Join in the fun during the Tugboat Days, the various music festivals, the Skûtsjesilen (traditional sailing races), or during an excursion to the nature island De Gouden Boaiem. During the summer holidays, a nostalgic farmers' market is organized every Thursday, where you can find fresh regional products and other surprising items. See: https://welkominwoudsend.nl/ https://www.historiewoudsend.nl/  

July 24th Crafts Day Ballum

Every year, a day is organized in the picturesque village of Ballum on Ameland where crafts from bygone eras are brought back to life. Many villagers dress for the day in the traditional costume worn in the first half of the last century. There is also plenty of musical entertainment to make the entire day an unmissable cultural but above all fun event. For bargain hunters, products related to the crafts are also available from various stallholders. See: https://www.ambachtelijkedag.nl/  

Old Veluwe Market every Thursday from July 24 to August 14 in Barneveld

The 59th Old Veluwe Market in Barneveld brings Veluwe traditions back to life. Stroll past 175 stalls, admire old crafts, and enjoy the atmosphere of 'the old days' with traditional costumes, folk dances, and the Farmhouse Heritage House. This year, you can enjoy folk dance performances four times and visit the Heritage House twice. Additionally, there is a special exhibition at Museum Nairac, where you can delve even deeper into history. And of course, the enthusiastic volunteers will once again make this market an unforgettable experience. Come and experience the Old Veluwe Market! See: https://oudveluwsemarkt.nl/  

July 26 and 27 IHF Festival in Panningen

Let's take a look back! The 2024 edition of the International Historical Festival (IHF) has come to an end. We had a fantastic edition. With nearly 25.000 visitors, we displayed more than 3000 tractors and 400 stationary engines. To all participants and volunteers, our gratitude is immense! Thanks to you, nearly 25.000 visitors enjoyed this wonderful festival. This resulted in a magnificent array of vehicles that beautifully showcased the commercial vehicles. What can you expect? Due to the many participants, different makes and types are presented every year. tractors brought along to the IHF.. Brands that are consistently on display year after year in Panningen include: Lanz Bulldog, Ursus, Vierzon, John Deere, International, McCormick, Case, Allis Chalmers, Caterpillar, Deutz, Hanomag, Man, Porsche, Allgaier, Fendt, Eicher, Hela, Gutbrod, Daimler Benz, Holder, Güldner, Feldmeister, Fahr, David Brown, Ferguson, Massey Ferguson, Ford, Fordson, Field Marshall, Fiat, Same, Landini, Steyr, Hürlimann, Bolinder Munktell, Volvo, Belarus and, of course, the theme for the upcoming year, Lanz. A small series of examples of the tools which you can find in Panningen are plows, cultivators, subsoilers, seed drills, harvesting machines, towed cranes, manure spreaders, hay machines, and combines. Also, around 400 come every year stationary enginesWe try to group participants bringing only stationary engines together as much as possible on the grounds so that you experience the sound and smell of oil and gasoline even more intensely. Some brands you can expect to see in Panningen are: Lister, Ruston & Hornsby, Pilter, Gardner, Amanco, Blackstone, Deutz, Lorenz, Benz, Bernard, Japy, International, Kromhout, Fairbanks Morse, Thomassen, Wolseley.   See: https://ihf-festival.nl/  

August 16 Yerseke at Sea

Yerseke at Sea's mission is to renew and enrich the image of mussels and oysters, specifically targeting younger generations. We want to bring these younger generations and all lovers of good food and conviviality together for an unforgettable experience. We organize a diverse and dynamic event consisting of various components, each designed to introduce visitors to the world of shellfish in a unique way:

• Mussel & Oyster World: A deep dive into everything related to mussels and oysters, to present these seafoods both visually and tangibly.
• Kids' Square: A place where families can enjoy both educational and entertaining activities together, making the event accessible to all ages.
• Seafood Plein: A meeting place for tasting delicious dishes in a cozy atmosphere.
• Street fair: The perfect opportunity to discover local products and crafts and strengthen ties with local entrepreneurs.
• Fleet Review: Offers an authentic look at the craft of the local fishermen.

  See: https://www.yersekeatsea.nl/