Obdam has spoken: the fair must return to the Dorpsstraat. Although a large majority (87 percent) of the village voted for a return, the preferred location ultimately did not make it to the finish line. Fairground operators do not consider it feasible. “It’s really ridiculous.”
Only when the local village magazine opens does the village find out that the fair is being moved again to the vacant lot along the Braken in Obdam. Something where last year so much opposition.
The decision is therefore wrong. “Fair is a village festival. You don’t do that on a meadow, do you? The fair atmosphere disappears in this way. Elderly people who go to the Dorpsstraat with their (grand) children: that is just part of it. It is now a turnip field, so that those stay away,” resident Ilonka previously told NH.
She asked the municipality of Koggenland several times for clarification. For example, a survey would be conducted about the location. It never came, despite earlier promises.
Still a survey
After months of silence the survey came. In the past month, the village was able to think about a preferred location. There was a lot of response: no less than 1,525 residents gave their opinion. An overwhelming majority (87%) want the fair to return to the Dorpsstraat.
Mayor Monique Bonsen: “The result of the survey is very clear and I am happy with that clarity. The village has let us know what they think about the atmosphere, attractions and location of the fair. But above all that they think the fair is very important. and I absolutely share that opinion.”
Not feasible
Still, the party is off. Because although the village has spoken, the showmen see no point in it. After the municipality entered into a conversation with them to present the results and discuss what is possible, they showed that it is no longer feasible this year. According to the municipality, because ‘arrangements have already been made with attractions and material has been reserved’.
For the coming years, the municipality will include the results in the discussions with the fairground operators. “It is up to the fairground operators themselves to decide which location is interesting for them and for which location they want to apply for a permit,” said a spokesperson.
The disappointment is great with Ilonka. “I am extremely disappointed. I really feel cheated. I’ve been working on it for a year. Why did we conduct this survey? I’m done with it. It’s a battle to lose.”