In Alkmaar, the King’s Day free market has already started secretly today. The things are already displayed in the center, and business is already being done here and there. Officially, this is allowed from 3 p.m., but not everyone adheres to that.
Alkmaar is preparing for the celebration of King’s Night and King’s Day. A lot of orange can already be seen in the city center, including the free market is taking shape, and sellers who were not there very early are still trying to find a place.
With some boxes in her hands, a woman asks: “Can I still go next, do you think?”. An orange stripe marks the end of the flea market area. It is full on one side of that border, but there is of course still room on the other side, media partner sees Alkmaar Central who circled the center.
“I’m sure it’s not allowed, officially,” someone responds with a mat just on the border. “But you can try.” There are not many other options anymore. Between the mats and makeshift stalls, shopkeepers get to know their new neighbours.
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“Can you also photograph my shop window?” jokes a shopkeeper in the Koorstraat. He does enjoy the commotion that King’s Night and King’s Day bring. “I close my shop at three or four o’clock,” he says. “Otherwise it will just get mixed up. And then I also drink a beer.”
The children’s fair is being worked on on the Kerkplein. Just like other years, the Ritsevoort is covered and fully built with tap points and a stage. The city is ready for the party. “For us it’s just a working day,” responds a bar employee. “But it’s nice to keep working this way. And of course you see a lot of acquaintances.”
It’s not hot. The Red Cross even warns of a cold night: “Don’t let children sit on the floor”. But on the free market under construction, people are not very worried. It will probably be old-fashioned fun, people expect. Then with a winter coat over the orange dresses and shirts.