Since Prince Willem-Alexander succeeded his mother - Queen Beatrix - on April 30, 2013 and became King of the Netherlands we celebrate his birthday - called King's Day - each year on April 27. Except when this day falls on a Sunday. In that case King's Day is celebrated a day earlier.
And yesterday it was KINGSDAY in the Netherlands!!!!! As all inhabitants are allowed to sell things without paying taxes on the proceeds of that day and it is a perfect opportunity to get rid of your old stuff, this is how many Dutch families celebrate it!
A couple of days before Kingsday we demarcate our selling area (mostly at shopping areas and squares) with sidewalk crayons. On Prince's Night, the night before King's Day, (some of the) people will already sit at their demarcated area just to be sure that their area will not be occupied by someone else. These people make it cozy by drinking beer or wine with each other and eating some snacks to come through the night. And then Prince's Night becomes King's Day!
As you can see on the picture above, for the ones who did sleep at home, their night was short as well! Already at 04:00 am we were at our selling area with all our selling stuff and began to display our stuff on rugs and/or tables in the dark. Once they had stood up, the junior salesmen were looking forward to selling their things with their brothers/sisters and cousins. They can even smile at that early hour and in that morning cold!
The day breaks, it's 6 o'clock and the sale can start! The children came up with a game to increase their proceeds: 3 chances to overthrow cans for EUR 0.30. The ones who overthrows all cans may choose a prize. Of course, we have increased the weight of the cans (with cat litter) in order not to make it too easy for the customers to win a prize. The children have real business spirits!
Between sales and and rearranging the merchandise neatly
there was time for some craziness,
being a customer yourself by getting (bying) henna decorations on your hand and arm
and/or getting food and beverages from a dear mother
Needless to say that it was a wonderful King's Day!
