The Gondelvaart Belt-Schutsloot is an event by and for the residents of Belt-Schutsloot. The Gondelvaart takes place annually on the 2nd Friday of August and attracts around 8,000 to 12,000 visitors. With a population of 560 it is unique that every year around 11 to 13 gondolas are built and sail along the Schutsloot (elongated ditch through the village) and on the Kleine Belterwijde, the lake at the end of the Schutsloot. During the Gondelvaart, 2 or 3 flower gondolas, 2 or 3 youth gondolas and 7 or 8 allegorical gondolas sail along the Gondelvaart.
The Gondelvaart is a colorful procession of gondolas that are beautifully illuminated and sail past the audience with theatre play. The procession has a beautiful appearance with the many illuminated gardens that lie along the route to be sailed. As soon as the gondolas are on the lake, a big firework is lit above the Kleine Belterwijde between 10.00 and 10.30 am.
The Gondelvaart Belt-Schutsloot has been around for more than 80 years. The 80th anniversary was celebrated in 2018. The gondolas are built on floating cradles and are pulled by punters during the gondola ride. Many residents of Belt-Schutsloot (Beltigers) are still fully engaged in the reed until May, for which they use of the floating goats and punts.
The gondola construction groups consist of about 10 to 30 people. From January every year the gondola builders are busy choosing a subject, making drawings and models. At the beginning of June, most gondola groups will make a cautious start on building. The temporary structures will rise above the ditches and the necessary preparations are already being made in the barns.
The Belt-Schutsloot Gondelvaart is alive! Fortunately, youth gondola groups are frequent new arrivals. In grade 7 and 8 of primary school there are already groups of children who, sometimes supported by parents and older youth, build a gondola themselves. During the Gondelvaart a professional jury will assess the gondolas in the youth gondola categories , flower gondolas and allegorical gondolas. The public is also involved through the separate Audience Award and a Photo Contest.
