Music, theater, children’s activities and fun. The Thursday Meppelagen started this morning. For six days, Meppel is all about summer parties and fun. Family friendly during the day, festive in the evening: the formula with which the city has been successfully attracting the summer audience for years.
The organization of the day program is in the hands of the Thursday Meppeldag Foundation, involving entrepreneurs in the city. The hospitality industry provides music and entertainment in the evening. Esmé Tinholt, responsible for programming: “During the day the emphasis is really on families and families, and we build it on every year.”
The programming is different every Thursday, each with a different theme. A striking newcomer this year is the street theater festival on August 7. “We used to do that, but this year we really turn out. Street theater, with international artists all day. There was a lot of demand for that,” says Tinholt.
Thursday, July 24: Theme is ‘Meppel Moves’
Thursday, July 31: Theme is ‘I love Holland’
With the Kids Challenge, playful vehicles and creative activities during the day, Thursday Meppeldag focuses emphatically on young families. At the same time, the elderly are not forgotten: “Every Thursday we organize something for people in care homes in the morning. That is always heart -warming,” says Tinholt.
In the evening the city turns into an open -air festival, where squares come to life with live music. The hospitality industry is in line with its own acts and DJs.
In recent weeks, more stricter has been maintained in the city center of Meppel on the alcohol ban. In addition, several fines were handed out to people who walked on the street with an open bottle or glass of alcohol, or who were clearly under the influence. During Thursday Meppeldag, that alcohol prohibition still applies, the municipality of Meppel emphasizes. But there is an exception, says spokesperson Yvonne Arnst: “He applies to hospitality entrepreneurs who organize the event and have received an exemption.”
Viewing a performance with a drink in hand, so that is possible. But do you then walk to another square, and do you take your beer with you? Then you may be approached or even fined.