One of the world's most colourful street parties is returning to Northland next month for Whangarei's second annual Holland Festival. Every year on April 30, millions of people of Dutch descent dress in orange, their national colour, and take to their city and village streets for a party that starts before dawn and lasts well into the small hours the next day.
Whangarei's version, to be held at the Quarry Arts Centre on May 5, won't match the million-plus crowd that squeezes into Amsterdam's streets and squares, but promises to be just as colourful.
Organiser Monique Dane - born in Zeeland, the province that gave New Zealand its name, but now living in Whangarei - said up to 1000 people turned out for the 2011 event but she expected more this year.
"We've had a lot of people say they couldn't make it last year but they're definitely coming this time. It made quite an impact last year and people really enjoyed it."
Called Koninginnedag (Queen's Day) in Holland, the celebration marks the actual birthday of former Queen Juliana and the official birthday of the current Queen Beatrix.
The aim was to show Northlanders what a Dutch street party was like and give local Dutchies a chance to celebrate their heritage, she said.
"It's also a chance to dress up in bright orange. It's quite a sight and makes people feel they're part of something. You become one big family," she said. The festival would start with a children's market, where under-14s could sell their old toys, make crafts or perform.
"Kids really run the market. It's by kids and for kids," Ms Dane said.
Festival-goers would be able to try their hand at traditional Dutch games such as sjoelen (shuffleboard), koekhappen ("bite the cake" or, in this case, chocolate fish) and spijkerpoepen (best not translated).
Delicacies on sale will include oliebollen (Dutch doughnuts), poffertjes (mini-pancakes), haring (pickled herring), broodje kroket (croquette rolls), dropjes (salted liquorice) and, of course, Dutch cheese.
Live music will be provided by the Auckland-based Mandolinata Orchestra while the Auckland Dutch Dancers will demonstrate folk dancing.
New this year will be an exhibition at the Yvonne Rust Gallery by Northlanders of Dutch descent, Art Hollandaise, while budding artists will be encouraged to paint a Dutch masterpiece of their own. Festivities will continue into the evening with a Dutch-style knees-up and even Dutch karaoke.
Ms Dane said the centre was an ideal venue because it replicated the atmosphere of a village street party without traffic worries. The event has been funded by Whangarei District Council's Migrant Centre and Creative Communities.