Sinterklaas
A parade of Christmas characters, decorated Dutch
peddler carts and caroling bands stroll along downtown
Pella's Dutch buildings and Molengracht canal to the Tulip
Toren. At the end of the procession looms a large ship
carrying Sinterklaas and his helper Piets.
Following the Sinterklaas Christmas parade is the Sinterklaas party at the Pella Opera House. (By reservation only) Sinterklaas reads from his book to determine if each child has been good or bad. Good children happily receive Dutch chocolate letters and coins, while the less well-behaved may find sticks and coal in their wooden shoes! The fun continues with Sinterklaas songs, stories and visits with Sinterklaas and his gift-bearing Piets.
Sinterklaas Day Agenda
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Parade - 10:00 A.M. (free)
Breakfast at Monarchs (Royal Amsterdam) - 10:30
Party at Pella Opera House- 11:00
Admission for breakfast and party is $8.00
All attendees to the breakfast and party at the Opera House must have a ticket, including very young children. Tickets are limited and must be purchased prior to Nov. 27. When registering children, be prepared to give a positive statement about the child that Sinterklaas can read from his book during the party.
All children are invited to join the Sinterklaas Parade procession dressed in Christmas character costumes. Reservations are required for parade entries by 5:00 P.M. on November 27 so each participant may receive special recognition from Sinterklaas and a gift bag.
Sinterklaas Party seating is limited. The 33rd annual party will be held at the Pella Opera House on Franklin Street. Tickets are required for recording each child's name and good deeds in the Sinterklaas book.
The parade begins at the Historical Village and follows Franklin Street to the Tulip Toren. After the Sinterklaas ship sails down the street, Sinterklaas welcomes the cheering crowd and introduces the Tulip Toren program.
At the close of the brief program all children joining the parade in their Christmas character costumes receive a bag filled with special prizes at the Klokkenspel near the Pella Opera House.
Children costumed as Christmas characters and parade entries line up at 9:45 a.m. at the Historical Village. After the program at the Tulip Toren the boys and girls will march to the Franklin Place Klokkenspel arch to meet their parents. There is no rain date for the parade. Call 641-628-2409 to register your parade entry.
Join the Sinterklaas Parade
Boys and Girls - Let's make the 33rd Sinterklaas Parade the best ever! Create a holiday costume and register to march in the Sinterklaas Parade. Decorated bikes, scooters and wagons are welcome! Prizes for each grade level; preschool, K - 5th grade
Costume Ideas: Gingerbread Man, Star, Wreath, Christmas Tree, Snowman, Shepherd, Angel, Candy Cane, Skater, Holly Leaf, Snowflake, Santa Claus, Rudolph, Elf, Christmas Gift, Tiny Tim, Zwarte Piet, Wiseman, Sugarplum Fairy, Nutcracker, Sinterklaas, Christmas Bow, Train, Doll, Jack-in-the-Box, Drummer Boy, Bell, Marionette, Candle, Christmas Cookie. Materials to use: cardboard boxes, paper, paint, clothes, tinsel, Creative Twist, Ping-Pong balls, hula hoop as a form, Styrofoam, ribbon, felt, wrapping paper, etc. Use your imagination and most of all have fun!
Call in your free parade entry registration to the Pella Historical Society 641-628-2409.
If the weather is inclement the parade will be cancelled. The party will go on as scheduled. For parade cancellation details call 641-620-9463 or listen to KNIA/KRLS 92.1 FM for information.
Sinterklaas Party
The party begins with the parade of costumed characters. After the parade, children with tickets will accompany Sinterklaas to the Royal Amsterdam Hotel for a breakfast. Following breakfast the children and Sinterklaas will proceed to the Opera House theatre. The party program features children joining Sinterklaas on stage while he reads their names and good deeds from his big red book. Each good child receives a chocolate letter gift.
Bring your camera and take pictures with Sinterklaas and the Piets following the party. Each child receives a special treat as they leave the Opera House to remember their Sinterklaas Day fun!
Everyone attending must have a ticket, including adults & babies. Limited seating. Tickets - $8.00 each. All seating is reserved.
To learn more about Sinterklaas, read the Story of Sinterklaas