The Biesland Dagen festival has become an annual fixture in our family calendar. Not only is it conveniently close, it’s always a fun day out. The Hoeve Biesland is the centre of much of the action, but other nearby locations also have entertainment and activities. Again in 2018, we were lucky with the weather and despite it raining throughout the week, we had lovely sunshine over the weekend.
The festival actually runs over two days, but the first day usually clashes with another annual event we love, so on Saturday we first went to the 2018 Embassy Festival. On Sunday though, we had a great day enjoying day 2 of the Biesland Dagen. This year was extra special, as my mum was visiting from Australia, so she of course came along too. I grew up in a country area in Australia – in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, Maleny, though my mum and dad now live closer to the beach. What I love about where we now live, here near the Biesland area, is that you get the best of the country & city so nearby. It’s right on the border between The Hague and Delft, and though you feel like you are on a remote farm, you’re really only minutes from the city centre.
It’s great to have such easy access to farm fresh produce. Not just at the festival, you can also visit the Weiland Winkle 6 days a week. 
This year was the first time I actually went into the “Half Molen” – I’ve cycled and run past it countless times, but until now, had never had the opportunity to explore the gorgeous gardens out the back, and get a sneak peek at the old waterworks underneath the windmill.
A number of local groups share information there, including one about “the value of hunting”. The topic makes me both a little sad and squeamish but I know that’s most likely hypocritical as I do eat meat. This beautiful bird of prey was on display, and we tasted some goose meat, both smoked and in a sort of croquette. Not really my thing but I guess these days we are spoiled with our supermarket shopping.
There were plenty of activities off in different directions, with a fun farm tractor ride between them, though the queue was a little long so we walked.
An ice cream has become an annual tradition….
….so has painting a piece of wood. Here are some kids’ creations drying in the sunshine before being taken home….
Something new that we discovered this year was clay creations, here is my daughter’s face on a tree (complete with blonde straw hair)…
After petting bunnies and hula hooping, we had just enough time and energy to build with blocks….
We went home tired but happy, and had a tasty afternoon tea of toast with some local honey we had bought.
There are two annual festivals held in this location, this is the 2 day September Biesland Dagen Festival, then there is also the Biesland Food Feest, a smaller, more food-focussed festival usually held on the Pinksteren public holiday in May.
You can find my Google photo album for the 2018 Biesland Festival here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/fXvbbcQsQVPjefzB9
More information here:
My previous blog posts:
- 2017 Biesland Dagen
- 2016 Biesland Dagen
- 2015 Biesland Dagen
- 2014 Biesland Dagen
- 2013 Biesland Dagen
- 2012 Biesland Dagen
See you there next year?
Renee
Dutch Australian 