April Fest 2013

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Sun 28 Apr 2013

From Prins Willem Alexander Villages humble beginnings in the early 80's when a Federation of Dutch clubs was established and other clubs became members en masse, there had been talk of the possibility of a Dutch Retirement Village.

The then President of the Federation Mr Steve Flierman and the Vice-President Mr Martin Jonkers formed the nucleus of an interim committee of an organisation which was to be set up for the purposes of a retirement village. Meet-ins were called to assess public interest, and the Dutch community filled the seats at these meetings almost religiously.



Fast forward, and now, since the year 2000, rapid progress has been made and the Prins Willem Alexander Village now sprawls out into thirty-four independent units, a two-story apartment building with fourteen studio apartments and a sixty-four bed nursing home, completing development of the Village.

April Fest at the Village was introduced only ten years ago and an Open Day was held to showcase the first completed residences to the public. This event was so popular, that it was decided it would be held again the next year... And from there, the rest is history.

Though April Fest (formerly called, simply, "Open Day"), had a main purpose of fundraising for the Village, it has expanded of its own accord as locals and tourists make plans each year to stop in and experience some true Dutch culture.



Residents and staff of the Village set up stalls to showcase the food, drink and quality craft that sets the Dutch culture so far apart from others.

All the favourites, from poffertjes, oliebollen, herring, paling, huzaren, salade, croquettes and the unforgettable Heineken and Grolsch to the more subdued coffee and cake will be on offer as visitors are entertained with a great festive vibe and the chance to spend some money on a makeshift Dutch flea market also on the premises.

This day has become one of the most important yearly events, not only in the local area, but amongst the Dutch community in Queensland and it is a tradition that is sure to carry on for many, many years to come.

So, mark your calendar, Sunday the 28th of April and get yourself and some friends down to the Prins Willem Alexander Village for some good food, good company and lots of good old fashioned Dutch tradition.

#april
#history
#food_wine
#festivals
#escape_the_city
#day_trips
#community_events
#birkdale
!date 28/04/2013 -- 28/04/2013
%wnbrisbane