Gieterveen today flocked on Ascension Day. Traditionally, there was the Ashtvaartsmarkt again, with about two hundred stands and rugs full of things.
“Together with that of Eenrum, this is one of the most famous markets in the Northern Netherlands. One of the busiest and the largest,” claims Gerard Koops, board member of the Markten Gieterveen Foundation.
While the market is only open for an hour, you can already notice that there is an event on the access roads to Gieterveen. The organization expected around 30,000 visitors. “Everyone puts their shoulders under it,” says Koops. “We are a vibrant village in that regard. Everyone is participating. Gieterveen still acts very well in togetherness.”
There is something for everyone. What is for sale? “Bags, jackets, ties and beautiful things from children who sell their old toys again to earn an extra pocket,” Koops explains.
The range is versatile, says a man who runs under the roof with a wheel clamp and an ornamental board. “It’s a sport to find something,” he says. He does not know exactly what he is looking for, but just looks at what is in the stands.
At exhibitor Berber Zwerver, the shirts, as she says herself, fly the table. “It’s the first time for me in this market. There are nice people and everyone is nice to each other. The stalls are fun, so it’s just really nice.”
The biggest puzzle for the organization is the measurement of all stands and rugs. Arjan Klaassens, who arranges everything for the exhibitors, knows everything. “It is not the same every year. One is four meters, the other is five meters. You are actually constantly sliding. We actually only have six hundred to seven hundred meters available for the fair.
Klaasens is very satisfied around noon. “So far it has certainly succeeded. If the weather is also a bit, it is certainly a successful day.” The proceeds of the market use the organization for other activities. “We can do that for free or at the cost,” explains Koops. “That is really fantastic. Without this market we couldn’t have done that.”