One hundred little boats! The canal parade is alive!

This coming Sunday, the time has finally come. The 3rd edition of the Grachtenfestijn, organized by the Grachtenfestijn Foundation. This year, the foundation is organizing the ‘Grachtenparade NazomerCarnaval’ on Sunday afternoon starting at 1:00 PM. One hundred colorful boats are expected to be on display on the Groningen Diepenring. Along the entire route, a flyboarder will lead the procession of boats around the Diepenring and then towards Reitdiephaven. Together with various choirs along the route, open terraces, and collaborations with side events such as Floating Paradise and ReitdiepPop, it promises to be a party on and around the waters of Groningen and Reitdiephaven.

The Late Summer Carnival Canal Parade takes place this coming Sunday from 1:00 PM on the Hoge- and Lage der A. At that time, the DJ will signal the start with a loud ship's horn and music. The procession of boats will then turn right into the Noorderhaven and sail a loop around the Diepenring. In the Oosterhaven, however, they will first sail a short distance into the Eemskanaal up to EMG Faktors/Brandweer Groningen. From there, they will turn back towards the city, and the taller boats (higher than 1.60m and therefore not accessible to the North side of the Diepenring) will join the procession towards the Verbindingskanaal. The old Groningen kofjalk ‘De Tromp’ will form the closing act of the Canal Parade from the Eemskanaal, Verbindingskanaal, across the A, and towards the Reitdiephaven. On board ‘De Tromp’, choir VET will perform their repertoire for the visitors of the Canal Parade. Once back on the A around 14:30 (Hoge- and Lage der A), the first participants of Floating Paradise (side event from 15:30) and visitors can wave goodbye to the procession heading towards the final location, Reitdiephaven/ReitdiepPop. Participants who still wish to register have until this coming Friday at 12:00.

Choirs / programming
The Grachtenfestijn Foundation is facilitating a number of choirs at various locations along the route who will perform their pop songs for visitors and participants of the Grachtenparade. The choirs can be seen/heard at the Ebbingebrug (from 13:00), Poelebrug/Schuitendiep (from 13:00), EMG Faktors (from 13:30 on the kofjalk De Tromp), and at the Rondvaartbedrijf Kool jetty (from 13:30). At the final location, ReitdiepPop, in addition to live music and a street market, the BOLS Dutch National Flair Bartending Championship will be held from 16:00.

Where is the best place to look?
Excellent locations to watch the Canal Parade are the Ludina terrace on the Turfsingel (choir Zingen & Zo, Eelsk, and Jong van Hart), the terraces on the Schuitendiep (choir BSUR), the terrace of Café Peter Pan (with DJ), Hoge- and Lage der A, and of course the various bridges around the Diepenring.

BOLS Dutch National Flair Bartending Championship during ReitdiepPop
At the final location, ‘Reitdiephaven’, there is also plenty to do for both participants sailing in and visitors. On September 13 (and also on September 12), Groningen and the surrounding area can get acquainted with a new festival for young and old: ReitdiepPop. Visitors can enjoy eighteen promising, often local bands and artists for free in Reitdiephaven, with the colorful pier houses in the background. In collaboration with ReitdiepPop, Stichting Grachtenfestijn is organizing the BOLS Dutch National Flair Bartending Championship during the event starting at 4:00 PM in Reitdiephaven. The very first edition was held in Groningen back in 2005. Now, after 10 years, it is back in the far North. It promises to be a grand competition featuring the very best flair bartenders. Their challenge is to toss bottles of liquor as beautifully and intricately as possible to rousing music, and then manage to squeeze a delicious cocktail out of them. In addition to a nice cash prize, the winner will receive the coveted ticket to the world championship in Tokyo!

Full Canal Parade Route 2015
Start Hoge- en Lage der A (13:00) – Vissersbrug (13:00) – Kijk in ’t Jatbrug (13:05) – Ebbingebrug (13:15) – Maagdenbrug (13:20) – St. Jansbrug (13:25) – Poelebrug (13:30) – Steentilbrug (13:35) – Start EMG Faktors/Kromme Jat (13:45) – Oude Winschoterdiep/Trompbrug (14:05) – Oosterbrug (14:10) – Herebrug (14:15) – Werkmanbrug (14:20) – Emmabrug (14:25) – Museumbrug (14:30) – A-brug (14:35) – Plantsoenbrug (14:45) – Herman Colleniusbrug/water tower (14:55) – Pleiades Bridge (15:20) – End of Reitdiephaven/ReitdiepPop (15:30).

Kool Boat Tour Company offers those interested who do not own their own vessel the opportunity to join the parade of the ‘Rondje Groot Groningen’. For just €12.50, you can sail along on the ‘Ommelaander’. Music on board is also provided, featuring live music from an accordionist. For more information, please contact info@rondvaartbedrijfkool.nl.

The 3rd edition of the Grachtenfestijn is made possible in part by Makro Groningen (main sponsor) and Het Fonds (GCC).

For more information and the complete program, visit www.grachtenfestijn.nl or follow us on via facebook.com/grachtenfestijn or twitter.com/grachtenfestijn