The aim of the Stichting Verlichte Optocht Cothen is to maintain the Cothen tradition by organising an annual illuminated carnival parade and awarding prizes to the most beautiful participants or participating groups.
In 1998, two residents of the Utrecht village of Cothen took the initiative to decorate their carnival float with lights and drive it around the village. This was so well received that fellow villagers encouraged them to do this again the following year and joined them. In 2016, these initiators handed over the baton to the Stichting Verlichte Optocht Cothen. At that time, the parade already had almost 40 participants and participating groups.
Every year everyone is invited to join in or come and watch what is now the largest illuminated carnival parade in the middle of the Netherlands. Groups of people, young and old(er), build a float, cart or expression together. During the parade they move, accompanied by the organization, in a long festive procession to show what beautiful things they have created.
Decorations and party tents with neighborhood, friends and family parties appear along the route. People from far and wide come to watch and then join in the party bustle in the catering establishments in Cothen.
When you mention the Illuminated Parade in Cothen, the stories come out. Everyone has their own experience with building, the parties, participating, helping and the coziness around it.
The Illuminated Parade is for everyone; it is for young and old(er), it connects and delights.
Today the parade consists of about 50 floats and several walking groups.
The Friends of the Illuminated Parade Cothen was founded to enable people and companies to support the parade.
Where De Verlichte Optocht Cothen was initially a small spontaneous action, it is now a professional foundation with everything on it; a board, the right insurances and concrete plans and protocols. This is to allow everyone to enjoy themselves while the organization ensures that safety can be guaranteed.