Yesterday there was, among other things, the livestock inspection, the kite parade, a cart parade and a party in the party tent in the village. This morning the harness horses and the show jumping competition started. Meanwhile, the villagers are spreading sand, a Schoonebeek tradition. “It’s real craftsmanship”. says Marieke Kuper, member of the local Schoonebeek committee. “It used to be done when you prepared the farm for visitors on a Sunday, you spread a carpet out of sand. You first make the edge and inside there are a number of techniques that are applied, making it look like you have a very nice carpet. It was, of course, an inexpensive form of home decoration.” The different village centers have had lessons in sand spreading and the technology behind it. Now they have to make such a carpet of sand within an hour.
“The event goes from village to village. It went from Zweeloo to Schoonebeek. That makes it very special,” says Wubs. In practice, however, it appears to be difficult to find volunteers. “Coevorden will not take place next year, because they do not have enough volunteers. But it is now going to another village.” If it is up to Wubs, the event will certainly be continued. Wubs: “I definitely think that this event has a future. It just needs to be revived a bit. It has to be stimulated and the new generation has to get involved. It has to change, but on the other hand it is very old and you also have to remember the traditions It shouldn’t be a massive village festival either. So that’s a challenge… But I personally think the event has a future.”