Brabantsedag in Heeze

The sixteen float construction groups together have around 2000 participants, many of whom participate in the parade as well. The inhabitants of Heeze are mostly involved as participants or spectators. The organisation is in the hands of the Stichting Brabantsedag (Brabant Day Foundation), which closely cooperates with the municipality of Heeze-Leende. The Brabantsedag relies on many volunteers with different expertise, together giving effect to the set-up and the preconditions of the event. The sponsors and the Stichting Vrienden Brabantsedag (Friends of the Brabantsedag Foundation) are significant too.

In 1957 the initiative for the annual Brabant cultural-historical parade arose in Herberg De Zwaan (The Swan Inn). A year later the first parade passed through the streets of Heeze. During the first years of the parade traditional crafts were the subject. The floats were usually designed by eighteen float construction groups. For a long time not only groups from Heeze participated, but also groups from other parts of the Netherlands and Belgium. From the beginning there have side-elements like expositions, musical performances and other cultural presentations during the Brabantsedag in Heeze. The organisation kept looking for a mix of quality and accessibility for a wide public. Halfway the sixties the parade was given a more and more theatrical character, with historical scenes and a central theme. In the course of the seventies the Brabantsedag shifted to a rather ‘Great Brabant’ character because of the increase of input from Flanders in the festival. As of the eighties a further professionalising of the festival has been taking place. The floats developed more and more into stages of scenery of a total theatre, for which play, vocals, make-up, costumes and dance are essential. By much attention for renewal and innovation, the festival has turned into an event for young and old, which is strongly secured in the Heeze community. It is an event that involves the vast majority of the community. A tradition that one is born into and is in the DNA of nearly every Heezener. In 2018 it was decided that the Brabantsedag will not be a nine-day festival anymore. The focus is now solely on the last Sunday of August.

2022-2024

• New initiatives from wagon building groups are embraced and a financial reservation is made for this.
• It will be examined whether and how the involvement in Leende and Sterksel can be enlarged.
• Along the route entertainment and catering activities will be developed for the public to 'grab' and 'hold' the public more.
• It will be investigated whether the judging should be revised so that the visitor recognizes himself in the judging.
• Organizing an open house of the construction sites can help engage the public and attract them to the parade.
• Because regular visitors are a good advertising pillar of the Brabantsedag, attractive arrangements will be offered to visitors such as becoming a 'Friend' of the Brabantsedag. This can also be a way of connecting new visitors to the Brabantsedag for the long term.
• More attention will be paid to the Children's Parade so that it can possibly grow.
• In connection with legislation and regulations, they will stay in contact with the municipality / licensing authority and they will make timely arrangements.
• New arrangements will be made for the Friends.
• For the management of all relationships (volunteers, float builders, sponsors, suppliers etc.) the CRM system will be implemented and optimized.