The word bloemencorso can be translated from Dutch as “flower parade”, “flower procession”, or “flower pageant”. Such parades feature floats that are magnificently decorated or fully covered in flowers. The roots of this custom can be traced back to the Middle Ages. Today, many towns and villages in the Netherlands and Belgium host annual or biennial flower parades, each with its own charm and character.
The Rijnsburg Flower Parade was founded shortly after the end of World War II as a way to lift people’s spirits after the horrors of German occupation. The inaugural Bloemencorso Rijnsburg took place in 1946; the parade has been held every year since with a few exceptions. The 2019 parade could not take place due to strong wind, but the floats were put on display for the planned duration of the event. In 2020 and 2021, the parade was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since floats and passenger cars participating in the parade are traditionally adorned with fresh flowers, professional florists start decorating them on the Thursday before the parade. Hundreds of thousands of roses, dahlias, gladioli, gerbera daisies, and other seasonal flowers are used to create breathtaking floral compositions, which are supposed match the theme chosen by the parade committee. In addition, each platform has an individual theme, or “a theme within the theme”.
The event officially opens on Friday afternoon; during the afternoon and evening, the floats are displayed at the auction complex of Royal FloraHolland. In addition, there are stage performances by local singers and musicians, various activities for children, and other entertainment.
The parade itself begins on Saturday morning. It usually includes 12 large floats, as well as music trailers, about 40 passenger cars and other vehicles decorated with flowers, marching bands, and about 100 extras in vibrant costumes. The procession passes through Rijnsburg, leaves the village to drive through Katwijk, and ends up in Noordwijk. After the parade, the cars are displayed along the Koningin Wilhelmina Boulevard in Noordwijk from Saturday evening to Sunday evening. The best floats and cars are awarded with prizes.
Every year, Bloemencorso Rijnsburg attracts around 350,000 spectators from all over the country and abroad (for comparison, the population of Rijnsburg is less than 17,000 people). The event is also broadcast on national television.
Photo: rijnsburgscorso.nl
