The people who never get enough of carnival can go wild again this weekend. One more time we can take on the pekse and one more time we can party together in Someren-Eind. At Karvanstal, the last parade of 2026, carnival floats from various villages in Brabant and Limburg compete for the coveted title: champion of the South of the Netherlands.
“The idea arose a few years ago. We wanted to give all the beautiful cars in the region the opportunity to show themselves to the public again. That is what Karvanstal became,” says chairman of the initiative Peter van der Voort on Thursday afternoon in the radio program Afslag Zuid.
The first edition in 2019 had a few thousand visitors and a number of nice cars. Last year, eighteen carnival floats participated and there were ten thousand visitors. “We have grown considerably in just a few years,” says Peter proudly. “There really is enough enthusiasm for it.”
Lots of enthusiasm
Not only the carnival associations are enthusiastic to participate, but the public also likes to come and see all the beautiful floats that have been built. “From South Limburg to Belgium, but also people from Culemborg have recently sent messages asking whether the parade will go ahead. There are always people who would like to come and watch a parade.”
Brabant vs. Limburg
Although the parade is of course about the beautiful floats, the rivalry between the people of Brabant and the people of Limburg is of course palpable. Who has actually won it the most times? “So far, Brabant has won the most prizes, but there is also fantastic construction going on in Limburg,” Peter explains.
He finds it particularly special to see all kinds of different architectural styles together. “You come across all kinds of different architectural styles at such a parade. That is very nice, also to put them together. Because it is different everywhere.”
Doll on float breaks off
The parade starts next Sunday at two o’clock and is in Someren-Eind. The same route will be walked at the caravan stable as the parade on February 15 in Platte Vonder. Then the head of a doll on a float broke off during the parade.
No one was injured. However, both the audience and CV de Plak were frightened. It is not known whether measures have been taken this weekend or whether extra checks will be carried out.
Is everyone wearing a carnival costume?
According to Peter, the children come to the parade dressed up, but the adults don’t. “I think the parents have already washed their clothes and put them in the attic,” he says laughing.
