While the actual 46th Annual Dutch Days Festival had to be cancelled this year due to the pandemic, the Schmaling Library staff decided to put together a virtual Dutch Days. As the 2021 Dutch Days Festival was cancelled as well, we’re re-releasing our 2020 Virtual Dutch Days page for those of you who are missing the festivities! Below you’ll find links, activities, videos, photographs, and more related to Dutch Days and the Netherlands. It’s not fancy, but it does represent a lot of work and a lot of fun had by Fulton’s librarians and the volunteers who helped us out with all of this! We hope that the real Dutch Days will be back next year on May 6 and 7. The theme will be “The Liberation of the Netherlands.” Thank you to Dutch Days Committee Chair, Barb Mask, for giving us the go ahead to put this together for you! Enjoy!
Happy Dutch Days!
To kick off the first ever Virtual Dutch Days, here’s a video of some cute little Dutch children to greet you!
Local Dutch Days Attractions
De Immigrant Windmill and Windmill Cultural Center
Visit de Immigrant authentic Dutch windmill through these photos and watch a video about de Immigrant Windmill and how it is used to help the Mississippi River Distilling Company in LeClaire, Iowa make their Windmill Rye Whiskey: https://www.cityoffulton.us/city/fulton-directory/attractions/de-immigrant-windmill.html
You can view more photos and videos from de Immigrant and the Windmill Cultural Center on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Windmill-Cultural-Center-de-Immigrant-Windmill-116642225034855/videos/?ref=page_internal
Want to learn more about the windmills of Holland? Here’s your page: https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/travel-inspiration/traditional/windmills.htm
Wierenga’s Heritage Canyon, a recreated 1800’s village located in an old limestone quarry, is a Fulton Treasure! The Canyon is usually open during Dutch Days with the Early American Crafters creating reenactments in the historical village. You can view photographs and videos taken in the Canyon on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WierengasHeritageCanyon/.
Dutch Dancing
The Dutch Days Festival always includes traditional Dutch Klompen Dancing on 4th Street on both Friday and Saturday of the festival. Below, you’ll find some Dutch Dancing videos shared with us by some wonderful volunteers!
You can view more Dutch Dancing videos and photos on the Dutch Dancing Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Dutchdancing/
Steve Klooster Memorial 5K Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run
Saturday morning of Dutch Days usually kicks off with the Steve Klooster Memorial Kids Fun Run and the 5K Run/Walk through downtown Fulton, along the dike, and down 4th Street past Heritage Canyon. It was kind of hard to stage a virtual race, but here are some photos from the 2018 and 2019 Run/Walk and Fun Run! Thank you to Rebecca Huizenga, Mary Hartman, and Linda Jackson for sharing these photos!
2018 Fun Run 2018 Fun Run 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2019 2019 2018
Dutch Days Virtual Antique Vehicle Show
The Antique Car Show has been a staple at Dutch Days for years. Here’s our virtual version. Thank you to everyone who sent in pictures of their antique vehicles.
Dutch Days Virtual Fashion Show
Marken Costume (from the Island of Marken) Volendam Province Costume Huizinge Costume (from the town of Huizinge in Groningen)
We didn’t get any volunteers except the Hartman kids to participate in our Virtual Dutch Fashion Show, but you can view more examples of Dutch costumes here: https://www.tuliptime.com/dutch-heritage/dutch-dance/costumes.
Dutch Days Virtual Tractor Show
We were somewhat limited on our tractor show photos, but thank you to Linda Jackson, Rebecca Huizenga, and Sara Pessman for supplying us with these photos!
1954 Allis Chalmers WD45, owner Jeff Pessman 1943 Farmall H, owner Jeff Pessman 1949 Ford HN, owner Jeff Pessman 1949 Massey Harris Pony, owner Jeff Pessman
Dutch Days Virtual Story Time
Watch the video of Miss Gwen reading Boxes for Katje by Candace Fleming, a story about a little Dutch girl who receives some big surprises from her American pen pal following World War II. Below that, you’ll find a cheerful tulip coloring page you can print, as well!
Dutch Days Wooden Shoe Race
In years past, Dutch Days has featured a Wooden Shoe Race. It’s hard to run in klompen! Below is a photo of a past Wooden Shoe Race.
The Hartman kids decided to recreate a wooden shoe race all decked out in their Dutch costumes! Watch the videos below to see how they did (they ran on grass, which is much easier than slippery concrete, although you don’t get that lovely klompen sound!:
Dutch Days Virtual Parade
What’s Dutch Days without the big parade?! Many of the photos in our Virtual Dutch Days Parade were from Dutch Days past (courtesy of Rebecca Huizenga). The photos of the Fulton fire trucks and ambulance are former emergency vehicles and were shared with us by the Fulton Fire Department. The photo of the Fulton Police car in front of de Immigrant Windmill was shared with us by the Fulton Police Department. Children were asked to create miniature Dutch Days parade floats and send us pictures, which we also included in the virtual parade. The Street Scrubbing video was sent to us by Sarah Houzenga and taken by Jan Holesinger. Musical and sound recordings featured in the virtual parade are all public domain recordings. Thank you so much to everyone who helped make this virtual parade possible!
Virtual Dutch Days Parade: https://1drv.ms/p/s!AueyqAg26RVHuFte9ad8H0skBcXx
Dutch Days Dutch Dinner
There hasn’t been a Dutch Dinner at Dutch Days for quite a few years now, but the Hartman household decided to give it a try and video it! Join Britni and her young sous chefs, Tayla and Ephraim, on their inexpert Dutch cooking adventures! You can find the recipes used below as well. Eet smakelijk (that’s “enjoy your meal” in Dutch)!
Our Dutch Dinner Menu:
Appetizer: Gouda cheese cubes
Drink: Suikerlaar (Dutch hot chocolate)
Main Course: Hutspot (essentially a Dutch pot roast)
Dessert: Olliebollen (Dutch doughnut holes)
Our completed Dutch Dinner ready to eat! Eet smakelijk!
Photos of Dutch Days Past
Photos courtesy of LeAnn Smith and Rebecca Huizenga.
2019 2019 2019 2019 2014 2019 1984 1984 1984 1984 1984 1984 1984 1984 1984 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 1994 2015 1985 1985 1985 1986 1986 1986 2019 2019
Information on the Netherlands
Flags of the Netherlands : Did you know that each province of the Netherlands has its own flag? You can view them all here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Dutch_flags
History of the Netherlands: This is a brief (very brief) history of the Netherlands to give you some background information!: https://www.amsterdam.info/netherlands/history/
Tulips: Tulips in Holland have a fascinating history. Learn all about Dutch tulips here: https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/travel-inspiration/traditional/tulips.htm.
Wilhelmus (Dutch National Anthem) : Read about and view the lyrics in Dutch and English for “Wilhelmus,” the Dutch National Anthem: https://www.royal-house.nl/topics/national-anthem/music-lyrics-and-customs
Dutch Art
The Netherlands can boast of producing quite a few famous artists. We could tell you about them or you could pay a virtual visit to several Dutch museums and view the artists’ works for yourself: https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/activities/arts-culture/museums-online-and-dutch-masters-at-home.htm
You can also find more information on various Dutch artists here: https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/travel-inspiration/traditional/dutch-masters.htm
Dutch Delicacies
Dutch Cheese: Ever wonder why there are two young men carrying giant wheels of cheese in the Dutch Days parade every year? Because the Netherlands is famous for cheese! Roxane found this fantastic page all about Dutch cheese!: https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/travel-inspiration/traditional/cheese.htm. Trust us, it’s Gouda! (Sorry, we just couldn’t resist!)
Dutch Recipes: Here are some more simple Dutch recipes you can try at home: https://www.thespruceeats.com/search?q=dutch%20food&searchType=recipe
Dutch Collectibles
LeAnn’s Collection of Dutch Roseville Pottery LeAnn’s Windmill Puzzle Brenda’s Collection of Dutch Days Spoons, 1978-2011 Hindeloopen style shelf, klompen, and cradle (located in the library) Brenda’s Delft Collection More Delft More Delft-style pottery (the windmill in the center was made in occupied Japan)
Rhea found the following videos on the Dutch city of Delft and Delft pottery:
Delft Pottery: https://www.royaldelft.com/en_gb/trademarks/royal-delft-blue-trademarks/item6278
You can also find more information on Delft here: https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/travel-inspiration/traditional/delft-blue.htm
If you’d like to learn more about the Dutch folk art, Hindeloopen Painting, you can visit this site: http://www.artezan.com/artezan/styles-n-techniques/traditional/hindeloopen.html
Dutch Book List
Whether it’s about the Netherlands, Dutch culture, Dutch food, or books written about or by Dutch people, Schmaling keeps an extensive inventory of Dutch-related books. Here’s an up-to-date list of all our inventory of circulating books about all things Dutch!
Dutch Activities and Games
Bicycles: Want to know how the majority of Dutch people get around these days? Hop on your bikes and experience it first hand! That’s right, bicycles are huge in the Netherlands! So, take advantage of Fulton’s lovely bike trails and travel like a modern Hollander! You can learn more about bicycling in the Netherlands here: https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/activities/cycling/seven-reasons-to-explore-holland-by-bicycle.htm
Famous Dutch People Quiz -Do you know what these 10 Dutch people were famous for? Take our quiz: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7Y3LFHH
I Amsterdam Dutch Activities for Kids : This blog contains lots of activities and crafts from various museums and sites in Amsterdam: https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/blog/family/online-activities-for-kids
Past Times Dutch Crafts : Find out how to make a paper Dutch costume. There are also some yummy recipes for delicious Dutch treats like Speculaas (better known around here as “windmill cookies”): http://www.pasttimeshistory.com/dutch-heritage/
Self-Guided Walking Tours in the Netherlands: If you ever find yourself in the Netherlands, you can download these walking tours to your mobile device and walk through the city with this virtual tour guide. In the meantime, if you happen to be sitting at home or at your office, this link will bring to the index of walking tours by GPSmycity. To explore the Netherlands, choose Europe, then scroll down. You have many Dutch cities to choose from. Choose a city, pick a tour, and scroll down the page. You’ll be able to see some photos and learn about the sites to see on the website!: https://www.gpsmycity.com/gps-tour-guides/amsterdam-512.html
Exploring Your Dutch Ancestry
The links below may help genealogists to trace their Dutch ancestry. Thank you to Rebecca Huizenga for sharing these with us!
https://www.wiewaswie.nl/ (Netherlands)
This one is for records from Groningen Province. In Dutch only. Click on “Zoeken op naam” to search by name: https://www.allegroningers.nl/
This one is for records from Friesland Province. Link is to the English version: https://allefriezen.nl/en/
Klompen (Wooden Shoes)
These klompen come from the collection of our own LeAnn Smith! Fun fact: The Netherlands is a very wet country and in the past, the Dutch people would wear wooden shoes, or klompen, to help keep their feet dry!
Klompen are still made by hand, today. At Dutch Days, there is usually a klompen maker present who gives demonstrations on how to make klompen and even sells wooden shoes at the festival. Below you can see some videos of klompen makers:
Still in need of even more information on wooden shoes? You asked for it!: https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/travel-inspiration/traditional/wooden-shoes.htm
Photos from the Netherlands by Rhea Kraft
Kinderkijk– Kinderkijk– Kinderkijk–Large Wooden Shoes advertising Kinderdijk Kinderkijk– Kinderkijk–view inside mill living quarters looking outside
A Photo Tour in the Netherlands
Rebecca Huizenga, a Fulton attorney, embarked on a voyage to the Netherlands in May 2019. She was kind enough to create a photo tour for us of her journey through the provinces of Friesland and Groningen.
Dat Alles
That’s all, folks! Thank you for visiting our Virtual Dutch Days page! We hope you enjoyed it! Whether you’re a Fultonite (Fultonian?) or from out of town, we hope you’ll consider joining us in person next year for Dutch Days, on May 7-8, 2021.