The 59th edition of the Gondelvaart Koedijk is approaching. Next Saturday, 14 decorated barges will cross the canal. After two years of corona absence, the village is looking forward to a joint party again. With the emphasis on ‘together’, says one of the organizers. “Decorate the village together, make a boat together.”
Martijn Slikker’s construction team is putting the finishing touches on the scenery for their gondola this week. “We make André van Duin”, explains the youngest team member Sjors while he gives a cauliflower a lick of paint. This year they honor Van Duin because he turned 75.
You can see what the construction team came up with in the report below:
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The Koedijkers missed the party – which attracts a few thousand visitors – especially because it brings the village together so much. “Despite the fact that we set up something for ‘only’ two and a half hours, you do it together”, says Gondelvaart board member Anja Bijpost.
Heritage
The Gondelvaart Koedijk has been official since 2018 intangible heritage. The tradition started in 1963, which will be organized for the 59th time this year. “We did count on during corona”, Bijpost explains. “Of course it was canceled then, but a few fun gondolas did sail. So next year the sixtieth, that will be a big party.”
The village festival will start next Thursday and will conclude on Sunday evening. The gondola ride, a carnival on the water, is the highlight on Saturday. From 9 pm the decorated barges will travel from north to south over the Noordhollandsch Kanaal past Koedijk. Alkmaar mayor Anja Schouten will give the starting signal.