By means of tightened safety requirements such as fences and security guards, entrepreneurs at Waagplein and Platte Stenenbrug found that organizing an event was no longer profitable. According to them, King’s Day in Alkmaar threatened to become a minimalist party with a stray stage here and there.
Entrepreneurs Remco de Boer, Peter Visser and Sil Vendel therefore joined forces last year for one big party on the Kanaalkade called Koningskade. “In this way, costs are shared without compromising safety,” it said at the time.
No party on Waagplein either
Although this will no longer happen, entrepreneurs on Waagplein have once again chosen not to organize anything during King’s Day. However, the bars and terraces are open as usual. “The atmosphere on Waagplein was very good last year. People could let loose to party music inside and just have a drink outside,” says pub owner Sil Vendel, previous co-organizer of Koningskade.
However, an old-fashioned party on the Waagplein is not completely out of the question if it is up to the municipality. “The council is happy to discuss with entrepreneurs to make agreements about an event on Waagplein for next year.”
First and last time?
The fact that the event on the Kanaalkade was canceled was a choice of the organizers, Vendel explains. Although, according to him, that does not mean that the first time was also the last. “There was too little time and the risk was too great. But I do not rule out that it will return in the future. We will continue to discuss with the municipality.”
According to Vendel, the desire for a large joint event is still alive. “I hope that this need will be more recognized next year.”
