Festivals in the Netherlands are getting bigger and bigger. To accommodate all those music enthusiasts, the Wernhout family business BHV Expo has now made the largest festival tent in the Benelux. No fewer than 25,000 people can dance in dancing from this summer. Festivals such as Down the Rabbit Hole and Mysteryland have the scoop. And there is also plenty of interest from abroad.
Just across the border in Hoogstraten, Belgium, a whole team of workmen with forklifts and aerial platforms is busy setting up the ‘Granada’. It is the newest and largest festival tent in the company. “We have to divert, because with us in Wernhout there is no place to put it on,” says manager Ben Gommeren laughing. “The tent is just too big. And then it’s only a smaller test setup.”
The colossus towers above the companies on the site. The tent is 25 meters high, 70 meters wide and can be 130 meters long.
In addition to the gigantic dimensions, the most special thing about the tent is the free span. There are no disturbing pillars in the tent that have to keep the roof up. “As a result, twenty to twenty -five thousand visitors have a clear view and that is really unique for a tent like this.”
The festival tent is therefore specially made for very large events. “It is allowed, but I don’t think you will see this tent in a village or neighborhood party. It is really for the larger festivals. This summer the tent can certainly be admired on Mysteryland and Down the Rabbit Hole.”
The question of the super tent came from that corner, because something like that simply did not exist. “Festival organizations are increasingly looking for the edge,” explains Ben Gommeren. “The experience is becoming increasingly important and light and sound plays a major role in this. That extra weight must be able to bear a tent. It must be safe and lingered.”
Furthermore, a special air circulation system ensures that no drops of condensation fall down. And no foundation needs to be deposited to place the tent.
On Friday, organizations of domestic and foreign festivals will take a look at the tent. Gommeren: “Even from Hungary, interest has already been shown by the Sziget Festival.”
“I already see the artists on stage,” concludes Ben Gommeren. “That will be fantastic and the first time we will certainly look and enjoy it. We have been working with our team for a few years and when I see the end result now, I am very proud.”