Carnival associations are rapidly coming up with a plan B now that the corona rules will be put on hold on February 25. There is still a lot to do in two weeks to celebrate Lent in an appropriate way.
Good preparation is half the battle, they will have thought at carnival association De Winkbülle in Heerlen. A few minutes after Ernst Kuipers, Minister of Health, announced significant relaxation on Tuesday evening, De Winkbülle’s alternative program was already on their agenda. website†
fancy day
“It will be a beautiful, varied carnival. We have already prepared for it,” says Paul Frissen. The chairman of De Winkbülle is already looking forward to Saturday 26 February, because then a ‘very chic day on Pancratiusplein’ will follow. This includes the arrival of the Blauw Sjuut and a children’s afternoon with artists, a DJ, a schlager parade and an alternative key transfer with mayor Roel Wever van Heerlen.
Organized spontaneity
Frissen: “We don’t have a city prince because the season is too short for that and the parade on Sunday is cancelled. But we have been preparing a carnival program for a week or two.” At the same time, the Winkbülle saw a number of spontaneous, disorganized ideas about Vastlaovend emerge. “We approached those parties and asked them to align with what we had in mind. To streamline it a bit, so that we are not suddenly surprised by other activities. And everything has been discussed with the municipality.”
Two scenarios
Apart from De Winkbülle, other carnival associations have not lost hope either. The more persistent the signals that relaxation was going to be made, the more intensively they set to work with their plan B. De Marotte in Sittard also had a program in place in no time.
“We had two scenarios ready in advance of the press conference of Minister Kuipers of Health. One with a live stream so that people could follow activities at home on the screen. The second plan: we will all go to the Market to celebrate there. Fortunately, the latter is now possible,” says Joep Wijnands.
Also read: Sittard kicks off as usual with school ball
According to the chairman of the Marotte, free space is now being given to the school carnival and the Kanón van ‘t Balkón event, both on the Markt. The parade, albeit in a slimmed-down form, will continue as usual this edition, according to the chairman.