Loenhout – Tomorrow, Sep 14, 2025, Loenhout near Wuustwezel will host the Bloemencorso Loenhout, an anticipated annual flower parade organized by nearly 4,000 volunteers under the direction of Jef Bogarts. This year’s spectacle will feature massive 10-ton, flower-adorned floats, reports 24brussels.
According to VRT News, the small municipality of approximately 4,500 residents has enlisted around 4,000 volunteers to help prepare for this vibrant event. The Bloemencorso is a highlight of the local calendar, drawing visitors from across Belgium and beyond.
“Almost everyone in Loenhout is participating,”
Director Jef Bogarts oversees the float preparations and is also responsible for safety protocols during the event. His leadership is vital to ensure that both the floats and the participants are well-managed.
How are 4,000 volunteers preparing 10-ton floats for Loenhout Bloemencorso?
The floats, central to the parade, are impressive in scale, some measuring up to 9 meters in height, 20 meters in length, and 5 meters in width. Each float typically carries between 250 to 300 flower boxes, contributing an additional weight of approximately 1,350 kilograms. Volunteers face the challenge of maneuvering these substantial loads, showcasing the extensive effort involved in the event.
Inclement weather poses additional challenges. When it rains, flower floats absorb water, significantly increasing their weight and complicating transportation efforts. On Sep 12, 2025, neighbourhood representatives received symbolic keys to the municipality, marking the official commencement of preparations.
“One year, it was stormy, and we were pushing the cart. It didn’t make any progress at all. Especially on Kapelstraat, where it’s a bit uphill, it was a struggle,”
This sentiment was echoed by Jef, highlighting the difficulties faced by volunteers during prior events.
Each volunteer is assigned specific duties to ensure timely readiness of the floats. Tasks include flower arrangement, securing components with pins, and wrapping the floats in protective paper to enhance their designs. With teams of 300 to 400 volunteers from each neighbourhood, the collective effort totals around 4,000 participants. One volunteer remarked,
“I’m glad we’re finally getting this done; it’s quite unique in Belgium.”
The Bloemencorso Loenhout, a tradition since 1936, occurs annually every September, attracting tens of thousands of visitors. It is celebrated as one of Belgium’s premier flower parades, where local neighbourhoods and organizations compete to produce the most impressive floats, a process that can take months of planning and preparation. Over the years, the event has expanded, with float dimensions reaching 20m in length and 9m in height, featuring tens of thousands of dahlias and various floral arrangements.
