Ivo organizes festival Rastaplas: ‘I like it when people come together’

When you think of Ivo, you think of parties. From his own exuberant children’s parties to illegal house parties in quiet places in Zoetermeer. During his holiday in Barbados, he was touched by the lyrics of a reggae artist and decided: “I want to bring this relaxed atmosphere to Zoetermeer as well.”

In the weekend of July 14 you can find Ivo van Zwet (55) at the North Aa beach. The eighteenth edition of the Rastaplas festival will take place there.

Famous parties

School parties, playback shows and children’s parties with music that is just a little too loud. From an early age, Ivo has been known for his exuberant parties. “I have a lot of equipment, such as speakers, lamps, turntables and power supply. If I felt like a party, I arranged it.” Ivo knows how to find the quiet places in the city and organized illegal house parties. “Somewhere in the Buytenpark, under the HSL track or on a building site in Oosterheem. I set everything up and texted friends to come. That tension of an illegal party is great.”

Sweet vibes

In his thirties, Ivo came up with the Sweet Vibes festival: a party with a street parade, a festival and an afterparty. A procession of colored cars with dancing Zoetermeer residents passed through the streets of the center. “I brought big names from the dance world to Zoetermeer,” says Ivo. For five years, the Sweet Vibes event attracted visitors from all over the country.

From house to reggae

For years Ivo was mainly involved in house music. “I have appreciated the relaxedness of reggae music for some time now. But during my vacation in Barbados, I listened to the lyrics of a reggae singer with a joint on the terrace. His message touched me so much. Reggae music was not very well known in the Netherlands twenty years ago, but I wanted to bring it to Zoetermeer.”

Ivo set up a stage in the derelict Sara Lydia Hoeve farm (where the Hudson restaurant is now located). He arranged for a reggae band from England to travel to the Netherlands for 300 euros. “They came to Zoetermeer in a van and stayed overnight in the farm. There was a very different crowd than during house nights, but I thought it was so chill. I love when people get together and have a good time.”

First festival on the beach of Zoetermeer

One day a few municipal employees knocked on Ivo’s door with the request to apply for a permit for his illegal parties. “That’s good, I said, but then I want a festival at the North Aa beach.” The permit was quickly obtained and in the summer of 2003 the first edition of Rastaplas was held.”

Free and own picnic basket

According to Ivo, it used to be much easier to organize a party than it is now. “Nowadays I have to arrange so much to keep the festival going. In the early years there was no security and fences around the festival site were not necessary. Rastaplas was always free and visitors brought their own picnic basket with food and drinks. Now there is security, first aid, catering with cocktails, Jamaican food and even a campsite. Rastaplas has become more for the hipsters with money”.

In the caravan on the former nudist beach

During the two-day festival, Ivo sleeps in his caravan at the festival campsite on the former nudist beach. “During the day Rastaplas is already fantastic, but after closing it is great at the campsite with the guests who stay the night. There is music and we have a drink afterwards. And have a nice breakfast the next day and prepare for another relaxed day. I look forward.”