Thursday 30th April is a public holiday in The Netherlands where the dutch celebrate Koninginnedag. Many neighbourhoods hold street parties and if the weather is good partying can go on all day.
In our neighbourhood, there was a cycle ride on decorated bikes for the children following a street organ.
The children followed the organ around the streets and had a great time trying not to crash into one another.
There was a best decorated cake competition. My daughter decorated her cake with orange smarties and orange jelly babies in the shape of a crown. It is the cake at the bottom of the picture with a large section missing. You get to eat all the cakes with coffee after the ride. Yummy.
Later in the day there are traditional dutch games and a game of football. It was a fabulous day, with terrific weather.
Unfortunately later in the afternoon there was some tragic news and many of the flags were put at half mast. My neighbour commented that Koninginnedag would never be the same again, I hope that the Queen and her family can continue with their tradition in the future of visiting a different town each year. It would be a shame if that had to change.
Bake and Sew 
Oh how nice to hear more about foreign traditions. I heard about the tragic things that happended this year and i’m in chok thinking about the poor families that are involved.
Even so, thank you for charing the pictures.
Kind regards
Henriette
I love your neighborhood celebration!!! Beautiful, just beautiful.
My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of those killed. So very sad.
I too enjoyed reading about your traditions. Next week my family will be visiting Tulip Time in Pella, Iowa. The comparison makes me chuckle.
I am so sorry about the tragic event and hope it doesn’t ruin what seems like such a festive day.
Wow! I grew up for the first part of my life in Utrecht. I remember Koninginnedag. I even owned an oranje badpakje. Brings back such wonderful memories…