Three frivolous riders from Ponyclub Tremelo are the first to sit at one of the hundreds of tables on the Na Fir Bolg site on Saturday afternoon. They were already there on Friday evening. What about the atmosphere at a seated festival? “On the first day of the festival, the Red Devils were the big losers, and Bart Peeters the big winner”, says schoolmaster Maarten. “You could feel everyone was a little disappointed after the match. Fortunately, Peeters was able to resuscitate the atmosphere as a born artist. He was the right man, at the right time. Of course everyone stood up, but at the same time everyone respected the bubbles quite well.”
The horse of Ponyclub Tremelo is standing in the hallway. — © Jef Matthee
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“Our pony club normally goes to Werchter, but Na Fir Bolg is a great alternative. We suspect we are sold. It’s just a shame that camping is not allowed,” Kim adds. The more so because the men’s breakfast consists of a few hearty triples. “We’ll be there later, Nancy, she’s our bob”, emphasizes barber David. “Staying stuck is not an option. When it’s done, it’s done. But tomorrow Sunday we come back, with our families. More than any other festival, Na Fir Bolg is incredibly kid-friendly.”
chain band
Xian (9) and Helena (1) testify to this family conviviality, they visit Na Fir Bolg with their mother. “I’ve come here many times, for Helena it’s the first time,” says Xian. “Other years there was a spinning mill and a large mound of sand to play on. It’s a shame that this is now banned due to the virus. But I’m having a good time, and if the weather is good tomorrow, we’ll come back for De Ketnetband.”
–Moeke Kris with Xian and Helena. — © Jef Matthee
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A festival is more than just having fun, it is also hard work in front of and behind the scenes. “We combine work with pleasure”, smiles glass cleaner Mariska. She lends a hand on the festival site together with her partner Guy. “We’ve been together for five years today. Admit it, isn’t a festival super beautiful to celebrate that anniversary? We’ve been helping here for a long time. And normally after the party we continue at the campsite. Now we were home at half past two yesterday, that takes getting used to.”
It also takes some getting used to for Guy, because the technology took away his job. “Normally I’m a dishwasher here. Na Fir Bolg serves drinks in real glasses, so I spend a whole weekend rinsing pints. The organization used the lockdown and the time freed up by the cancellation last summer to build two professional dishwashers. These devices were designed and manufactured entirely in-house, which is very impressive. The dirty glasses are spick and span in no time. To keep up with the pace of one machine, each visitor can drink a hundred glasses per hour. A tough challenge, but we’re doing our best”, Guy jokes. A heavy shower on Saturday in the late afternoon could not quench the thirst.
–Guy and Mariska sound like five years of love. — © Jef Matthee
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No complaints
“Police and security services noted no complaints or no significant incidents on the first sold-out opening night,” festival boss Luc Janssens concludes with satisfaction. “One visitor thought that the exodus from the parking lot was difficult, and that’s true. When hundreds of cars leave at the same time, it is equally busy. The site must be empty by 1am, and there is no camping site this year so all visitors are gone together. Organizing a festival was and is not easy until further notice. What we achieved at Na Fir Bolg is pure professionalism, and we would never have succeeded without the enthusiastic efforts of a small army of volunteers. My thanks to our team is great. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”
A few tickets are still available at the box office for today Saturday and tomorrow Sunday. Soulsister will close on Saturday, while on Sunday it will be the turn of Tourist LeMC and Raymond van het Groenewoud, among others.
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