National Street Parade and 1st National Liberation Festival

As of 1985 (the celebration of 40th anniversary of the liberations of the Netherlands) the “Stichting Bevrijding ‘45” has organized a Parade with Canadian Veterans and Veterans from other allied forces on the Loolaan and Kerklaan in Apeldoorn every fifth year.This year will mark the last Parade but will introduce the Liberation Festival in the Omnisportcentrum, an indoor Cycling- and Athletic Centre with 5000 seats, located beside the well known Amerikahal.
The Liberation Festival will be the kick off for a new event in which will focus on the younger generations. The event will serve to remind them that we have our freedom due to the brave Canadian and other allied soldiers who risked their lives for the Dutch people. The Stichting Bevrijding ’45 intends to change from the Street Parade with Veterans to an exciting Liberation Festival, focused on the younger generations.As it is our expectation that this will be the last time Canadian and other Allied Veterans will be able to come to the Netherlands in large numbers, we aim to hand over the liberation torch to the youngsters. They will be also part of the audience in the Omnisportcentrum