Noordwijk-Haarlem
April 25, 2009 

Although the concept of a flower parade is certainly not limited to Holland, it is fair to say that nowhere else in the world are you able to watch so many floral street processions. Each parade - called a 'corso' - has its own history and is typically Dutch. 

The Bollenstreek

The 'Bollenstreek' (bulb-growing area) Flower Parade is the first and biggest parade held in Holland every year. Fifty years ago, the organizers of various small parades which were held in the villages of the Bollenstreek decided to join forces and created one big parade. It was to become the calling card of the flower bulb culture. 

Celebration

On Saturday April 25 2009 at 9.30 a.m., the annual Flower Parade will leave Noordwijk to travel its 40-km route, along the main roads, to arrive in Haarlem about 9.00 p.m. The procession will comprise of twenty large floats and more than thirty decorated luxury cars, interspersed with marching bands. There will be plenty of space on the roadside for the hundreds of thousands of spectators who always congregate along the route. Friday evening (April 24) there will be an illuminated parade in Noordwijkerhout. The parade and floats will also be illuminated in Haarlem on the evening of Saturday April 25 and they will remain on view in Haarlem on Sunday till 7.00 p.m. 

More information

Website: www.bloemencorso-bollenstreek.nl