Lutjebroekers Bram and Gijs received around 150 visitors on their fairground drinks on the same weekend. “You see that many people on our drink go to the pub afterwards, even when they come from other villages. On the one hand, you will be in the cafe for less long because of the drink. But on the other hand, you might spend the most money in the later hours, because it makes you a little less.”
In villages such as Berkhout, Hoogkarspel and Wervershoof there are fairgrounds that have become real festivals. Many fairground drinks are also held every year in Nibbixwoud. Some of them grew from a large event, including a municipal permit.
Consider and adjust end times
According to Herman Op den Kelder – member of the Kermiscomité in the village – this goes well, provided there are good agreements. “After the founding of the committee, the big drinks were approached. The organizers are in our committee,” he explains. “They talk about the program, and adjust the end times on the Kermistent program.”
On the basement the big drinks calls a blessing, since many visitors then head towards the local café. “It is also becoming more difficult for really big drinks, because of the regulatory work and the permit,” he continues.
‘Moral obligation to go to the pub’
“Then it is also up to the hospitality industry to get in. A few years ago Jan Schouten van de Dres was a drink to hand out coupons for a free first drink. And you also see a kind of ‘moral obligation’ with smaller drinks with youth, to stop on time and go to pub.”