Mayor Deerlijk gets married

Claude Croes, groom and mayor: “I’ve performed hundreds of weddings in our wedding hall. I always enjoyed doing that, but standing on the other side of the table, that’s weird, I must admit.” (read more below the photo)

Bert Schelfhout, first alderman Deerlijk: “Claude married me too, so it was a nice return and we enjoyed it a lot”

Deerlijk is not unfamiliar territory for Evelyne. This is where her roots lie, and her father, former rider Dirk Baert, is an honorary citizen. And now she’s the first lady. Evelyne Baert, bride: “I will support him where I can, and for the rest I will manage things at home.”

And a mayor who gets married is quite an experience in a municipality like Deerlijk: after the ceremony at the town hall, the bridal couple treated themselves to beer and chips. A real folk festival, one that other honorary citizens of the municipality also like to attend. Niels Destadsbader for example, a good friend of the mayor by the way. Niels Destadsbader, honorary citizen Deerlijk: “Do you know what’s so cool? It’s a Deerlijk party. Beer, people together, fries and two people who are happy, that’s all, so that’s good, isn’t it.”