Speaking of unpacking: Nieuw-Weerdinge is not celebrating once, but twice this year. At the beginning of July, the peat village celebrates its 150th anniversary and at the same time the village is the location for the Zuidenveld country festival. The local sports park, a lawn and a piece of farmland (together accounting for three hectares) serve as the backdrop for the mega party. “This will probably be the biggest party ever held in Nieuw-Weerdinge.”
It is clear that the organization has and had quite some feet in the earth. The party committee, consisting of Nathalie Huizing, Alie Vegter, Grietje Naber and Johannes Brunia, is having a hard time. They made preparations for more than two years. The result will be presented tonight to the residents of the village, with appropriate pride.
It is a pity that the party could not take place last year. Because in that year Nieuw-Weerdinge actually existed 150 years. “In March of 2022, the government again gave the green light for major events,” says Huizing. “It was just too short a day for us to set something up.” That’s why it took another year.
A nice bonus is that the festivities are combined with the Zuidenveld, an annual event that rotates between eight Southeast Drenthe villages. “Actually, Coevorden was nearby,” says Brunia. However, the local committee there fell out. An agreement was reached with Nieuw-Weerdinge. Brunia: “An exchange has been made and we are therefore taking over for this year.”
The two parties presented the organization with a challenge. “It’s impossible to organize two such parties separately,” explains Naber. It just puts too much strain on everything and everyone. “We can’t get our hands together in the village either.” Hence the decision to combine both events.