Throwing the ball: it is an old tradition that occurs almost exclusively in a number of church villages in Horst aan de Maas. Newlywed couples throw candy out of the window for the children on the first Sunday after Carnival. That happened again on Sunday in America.
More than 50 children visited five addresses to collect as much candy as possible.
Tradition
One of the participating couples are Hans and Jill Derix-Vullings. Jill used to participate himself and knows the tradition well. “It’s nice to experience it yourself on the other side. The feeling of loyalty is back today,” she explains.
Origin
Little is known about the origins of ball throwing in America. “We have no idea when exactly it started. I suspect that the name comes from mandarins and oranges, which are also thrown during the ball”, said Marco Hesp of the America village council.
Urge for sweets
‘Ball, ball, ball’, the children immediately start shouting when they arrive at the next address. It’s pressing for the candy. “I already have tangerines, chocolate and other candies,” says one participant. Another boy has no intention of sharing his loot with his parents. “I eat everything myself,” he says.