Baarle-Hertog (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Zondereigen’s summer fair (July 6–8) in Baarle-Hertog urgently seeks a carousel. Mayor Philip Loots (N-VA) offers extra funds to attract operators and preserve the tradition.
As VRT News reported, the Zondereigen summer fair in Baarle-Hertog, a municipality in the province of Antwerp, Belgium, is returning on July 6-8, 2025, but the town is still urgently searching for a carousel to complete the event. According to local reports and confirmed by Mayor Philip Loots, the search has been particularly difficult. Municipal services have been working hard to find a carousel operator.
Last year, the fair also went without a carousel, which disappointed many local families. Mayor Loots explained that the Zondereigen fair is small, which might not be financially attractive for most fairground operators. He mentioned that larger fairs tend to draw more visitors and offer greater profits, making it challenging for smaller village events like this one to compete for attention.
What is needed to bring a carousel to Zondereigen’s July 6–8 fair?
The mayor says the Zondereigen fair is still great, especially for kids. The mayor knows it’s difficult but wants to keep the tradition alive. The town hopes a carousel operator will come forward so the fair can be its best. He mentioned that for the kids in Zondereigen, a carousel isn’t just fun, it’s a special memory.
“It is one of the most enjoyable fairs in the country, so it would be nice to have a mill there.”
Mayor Philip Loots (N-VA)
Mayor Philip Loots is urgently seeking a carousel to complete the festivities. The Baarle-Hertog municipality is hoping to find a carousel, locally known as a “mill,” for the event, which will take place from July 6th to 8th at the parish hall in Zondereigen.
Mayor Loots is appealing to fairground operators who might have a carousel available to contact the Baarle-Hertog town hall immediately. He emphasises the importance of this search, especially for the children in the village, who eagerly anticipate this highlight of their summer.
The mayor is open to giving extra money to get a carousel for the Zondereigen fair. He said the town will talk about it with the board if someone offers a ride. The town is ready to talk and see what they can do to get a carousel. They want to keep the fair fun for everyone, even if it costs more.
