Popular Ponchos at Flower Parades

This article was last updated on April 22, 2023

Canada: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…
USA: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…

Annual Bloemencorso Bollenstreek

The annual Bloemencorso Bollenstreek, also known as the flower parade, is the biggest spring festival in the Netherlands. Every year, thousands of visitors flock to see the parade that travels at walking pace for 42 kilometers between Noordwijk and Haarlem, accompanied by brass bands.

Colorful and Decorated Cars

At the event, various floats filled with flowers are exhibited, and more than a million people are expected along the route to come see them. The parade’s first float appeared on the road in 1947 when a grower from Hillegom decided to decorate it with flowers.

Queen Máxima’s Visit

Last Wednesday, even Queen Máxima joined in the fun and helped prepare for the parade. She was taught by 16-year-old Lisa van Abswoude and even managed to do quite well for her first attempt, according to Lisa.

Ponchos at the Parade

One essential accessory that those attending the flower parade cannot do without is a poncho. In the Netherlands, weather conditions can be unpredictable, and even if the sun is out, there is always a chance of unexpected showers. Ponchos are already being handed out even when the weather is not that bad, as the onlookers are always on the lookout for any downpours.

Ponchos for Everyone

The popularity of ponchos is evident as they are given out to everyone regardless of age or gender, and even to tourists from other countries who visit just for the parade. One news reporter who covered the event spoke to people who came from Germany, Denmark, and Hungary to witness the colorful event.

The Flower Parade in the UNESCO List

The flower parade, together with thirty other parades in the Netherlands and Belgium, was added to the UNESCO list of immaterial heritage in December 2021. The recognition was well-deserved, and after two corsoless corona years, it was old-fashioned busy when the parade was held again last year. The flower parade’s popularity is expected to grow even more now that it is recognized as a cultural treasure by UNESCO.

Celebration despite the Rain

The flower parade is not just an event that celebrates the beauty of flowers. It is an event where locals come together with visitors from around the world to celebrate spring’s arrival. Even if it rains, Dutch people do not let that dampen their spirits. In Sassenheim, a family invited all the elderly to come sit with them, providing wine, beer, snacks, and chairs just for the parade. As rain started pouring down, everyone still continued to enjoy the parade’s coziness and the scent of hyacinths.

As spring arrives, so does the annual flower parade, which blooms with the beauty of colorful flowers. Although wearing a poncho is a must, it is still an event worth celebrating, even amidst rain showers. Whether you are a local or a visitor from another country, the flower parade is an event not to be missed.