Holland Festival 2020

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Posted 2020-02-01 by Jen ⇒ follow

Sat 07 Mar 2020

The annual Holland Festival will be held on Sat 7 March 2020 from 10am to 6pm this year at the Akoonah Park, 2 Cardinia St (Corner of Princess H'way), Berwick. Find the complete PROGRAM HERE and get the FAQ's HERE . Get your TICKETS HERE . It's $20 adults, $15 pensioners and senior card holders, $5 students 13yrs and over, $10 groups of 30 or more (ideal for clubs), $5 carnival/Kermis wristbands.

Kids can use the carnival rides and bouncy castle all day with a wristband. There are also other kids amusements that incur a fee. Managed and run by volunteers, 100% of the profits go to charities and worthy community groups supported by the Rotary Club of Casey . Many hands make light work so if you'd love to volunteer at the festival, find details and fill in the VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS HERE.

The Holland Festival is special because it provides a place where multiple generations of Dutch people, their families and friends, eagerly celebrate and reflect on their positive contribution to the rich Aussie society. It's a time to gather amongst old friends, make new ones and enjoy the familiar heritage, traditions and foods of the motherland.

There's Dutch food by more than 40 food vendors providing more than 30 different and delightful foods that include hot and cold food, both savoury and sweet. Let's face, it, food is the communion of all events that bring family and friends together. Get used to foods such as Olliebollen (Dutch Donuts), Frikandel (Dutch sausages), Stroopwafers (syrup wafers), the more familiar Poffertjes (tiny pancakes), Croquettes (meat-filled) and Kibbeling (fish bits) that'll delight every palate.

A bar and continuous live entertainment will run from 10.30am and operate all day. Bands, choirs, singers and more will be performing in both Dutch and English. In the Pavilion a 170 seat BISTRO will offer sit down meals as 3ZZZ create a relaxing ambience with traditional Music from the Netherlands. The Carnival Precinct will have rides for the littlies, face painting, sand painting, pony rides, petting zoo and two Dutch Street Organs to enjoy. The Accordion Accents Ensemble, Happy Muso's Brass Ensemble and Rudy, the One-Man Band are back by popular demand.

For your interest, Rudy the One-Man Band has been invited to attend a judge's audition in February for this year's Australia's Got Talent. Fingers crossed he progresses to a subsequent audition and he may even appear on TV. He may not be a famous entertainer, but he has been providing entertainment for many years for enjoyment. Be sure to tune in and support him. Back to other entertainment, Memphis & Zuiderkruis (Southern Cross) are two bands that'll perform popular music. There's also a Clog dance workshop to get you on your feet and learn the basic steps to some of the best-known clog dances.

Amongst performers , ZING! a community choir and band will present songs in Dutch and The van Tongeren sisters will offer a lively repertoire including contemporary music, classical ballads and songs from the war years. DJ Dirk de Harder is a young man going places. Fresh from performances in St Kilda, he's the one that'll get you all on the dance floor, young and old. The Main Stage is on the oval outside the Bistro and the secondary stage is at the SBS Radio Outside Broadcast van. Roving entertainers can be found performing all around the grounds.

GOATvr - Virtual Reality trips is a new addition to the festival. The older generation may love to experience the future while they take a nostalgic VR tour of the Netherlands. Made for the young and not so young, choose from some adventure rides such as a roller coaster and experience the excitement in a VR trip.

The Dutchies love their dogs and this year the festival is going dog-friendly. There's even a Best Dressed Pooch Parade at 12.30pm so put your Canine Fashionistas best paw forward in Dutch costume and join in the fun of the festival. Can't have the humans feeling left out, so get into the spirt by dressing up in clothes that reflect the cultural at 1.50pm on the SBS Stage.

Other attractions that may amuse you are the Phototainment where you can have your photo taken in Dutch costume and receive a FREE printed copy that can also be sent to your email. The All-day Sjoelbak Tournament (Dutch shuffle-board game) is popular with all ages and there'll be wonderful prizes for winners in three age divisions again. Enjoy the market stalls and exhibitors, all with a Dutch connection and a heritage of great traders for centuries. There's also a grocery stall selling all sorts of Dutch levensmiddelen (groceries). See the event pages for more information.

Of the Festival participants, you'll be introduced to E-stralian . This Dutch-Australian e-bike company will give you a taste of the true Dutch biking culture by providing free e-bike demonstrations and test rides all day during the Festival. They will also feature their Riese & Muller premium and roadside assistance. Helmets will be available! Come grab a bike and have a ride and chat! It's going to be a big day at the festival, so come prepared to have a lot of fun!