Pancakes, Christmas items and above all a lot of fun. The winter fairs in Drenthe are in full swing, as precursors to the Christmas markets.
On Saturday afternoon, visitors know where to find the Brink in Orvelte. About sixty exhibitors have displayed their stuff on the square. It is busy, but cozy, according to a number of visitors. A striking number of women roam the stands looking for nice gadgets. Candles, baubles, baby stuff.
It’s all for sale. But it’s also about the atmosphere. “I’m not actually looking for anything, we’re sniffing around,” says a visitor. That atmosphere is also reflected in the encounters. “Very cozy, from the art. We all meet acquaintances, it’s really great.
Manuela Huisman of the organization also knows that the atmosphere in Orvelte is important. “The catering is going like clockwork, from ham sandwich to satay. It’s mainly going out, but there’s still plenty being dragged out.”
Many visitors are already on their feet in Gees too. Visitors of the event ‘Gees in Wintersfeer’ stroll through the Dorpsstraat in the village. Several farms make their driveways available to exhibitors. Some stables are also released, which ensures that trinkets are sold around the animals.
The winter fairs may feel like a forerunner of the Christmas markets, but in Gees those stands are not overflowing with Christmas items. According to Carla Hidding of the organization, this is certainly no coincidence: “No, it’s purely winter atmosphere. We don’t want to turn it into a Christmas market. It’s about pure fun.”
It turns out that it has that effect. “I was asked by my daughter. And it is indeed very beautiful, the whole atmosphere with the lights, the farms, a bite to eat.”