The fifteen construction teams participating in the Flower Parade in Eelde can get to work. Last night the designs were chosen and the order of the parade determined.
Anyone who thinks that an evening like this is just for fun is wrong. The draw of the parade is quite serious. A full evening’s program – including a minute of silence for deceased builders and an extensive raffle – will be enjoyed by more than 300 visitors.
Jacqueline Haijkens (chairman of the parade for eight years) is pleased that this official kick-off can finally take place again in the Flora Holland auction room. “That is the first time since 2020 because of corona,” she says. Haijkens has no nerves. “It’s mostly a fun evening.”
But an evening according to a meticulous pattern. First of all, chairman Haijkens draws the name of a parade district. This district is immediately the front float in the parade. This year that parade district is West-End. A representative will then take a sealed envelope labeled with numbers one through fourteen. This number determines when you can choose a design. For the West End, number ten comes out of the envelope. So at the front of the parade, but by far not the first choice for the design.
These designs have everything to do with the central theme ‘Globetrotters’ this year. Every year the big question is who gets to choose a design first. Because that person is the only one who is 100% sure that the preferred design can be reproduced.
Rick Bloupot of parade district Yde De Punt turns out to be the one with a lucky hand tonight. He draws number one and goes straight for Egbert Boerma’s ‘Discovery Travelers’ design. “We voted with the whole team and this design came forward. It’s the first time I was allowed to draw a number and I immediately drew number one. You can do that once in a hundred years.”
The parade districts can now get to work. “They will now first discuss with the arrangers, welders and builders how they are going to approach it,” says Haijkens. “But we will be setting up tents on April 1. That won’t take very long.”
Bloupot is therefore certain: “The parade has already started.” And the theme for 2024 is also immediately known. Next year, the builders will get to work on ‘Children’s World’. But first the full focus will be on this year’s corso. Because before you know it, it will be the first weekend of September.