Now that it is known that Sinterklaas’ arrival is coming to Grave this year, everyone in the municipality of Land van Cuijk can start preparing for it. The organization can count on a large wish list, as the municipality of Texel knows where the good saint was allowed to moor last year. The costs for the entry there were almost half a million. Although it also yields a lot. “The connection is still there.”
“It is very beautiful and an honor to experience,” says Jeroen van Hattum. He is a board member of the Sint and Piet Texel Foundation and was up close with the organization of the National Arrival of Sinterklaas. “It was very intensive at times, but great fun.”
The arrival attracted millions of television viewers and more than 12,000 people who visited the island for the children’s festival. “Texel has of course been featured in the Sinterklaas news for a long time. We hope that children or parents will now come here for holiday. And we have received a lot of publicity and attention. That is very nice.”
Hefty cost estimate
Although there are also significant costs involved in organizing the National Sinterklaas arrival. “You will have to pay a few hundred thousand euros for this. The municipal council has invested two hundred thousand euros. The province has helped pay. And various funds have been applied for. It cost almost half a million in total.”
This is also evident from the council information letter from the municipality of Texel from December last year. So a lot of money. Texel knew this in advance: this was already apparent from inquiries with other municipalities that had organized the parade.
“It cost almost half a million in total.”
“As a municipality, you try together with entrepreneurs to set up the best and safest possible event,” adds a communications officer. She is very pleased with the result.
In addition to extra tourism and revenue for local companies, the organization mainly provides pride. “We were able to show that a small municipality with 13.5 thousand inhabitants can organize such a national event. As a municipality, it was an opportunity to let our involved and enterprising community shine. And it was really fun to do. That connection is still there.”
Once-in-a-lifetime experience
Would they like to organize it again? “Not right now, it is also an attack. We see it as one once-in-a-lifetime experience. You go into it with that idea as an organization and as a society. Then you can’t do it all the time, but that’s not necessary.”
They are therefore very pleased to hear that Grave can organize the national parade this year. Jeroen van Hattum also has a golden tip for the new organizers. “Just enjoy it.”
