Exactly one year ago we worked hard on the site of Ary Harteveld in Wijdenes. Returning visitor numbers, complaints from the neighborhood and a difficult relationship with the manager ensured that the fair was not in café De Bierstal, but at Harteveld on the land.
In collaboration with manager Sebastiaan Redeker van de Zeedijk in Onderdijk, a party weekend was rigged, including attractions for the youth. “It’s a shame when the fair is bleeding and I have the space here. Now we hope that many people come,” said Harteveld then.
No party tent, no whirligig
Well, those people came there. “I think there were ten times as many people to the fair compared to previous years,” says Jan-Wim de Koekoek. Last year he said goodbye after 25 years as chairman of the fair. “Everyone was happy and enthusiastic. It was a wonderful weekend.”
And yet Wijdenes has to do it without a fair this year. Ary does not only want to bear the risk and did not come to a desired solution in terms of cooperation with the Kermiscomité. The result is that the piece of Weiland where last year was so exuberant was not touched this year. No party tent, no whirligig, no snack car.