Ronsense Bommelfeesten

The Ronsense Bommelfeesten is a yearly festival since 1960 in the Belgian city of Ronse, in the Flemish Ardennes. Ronse is, together with neighbouring Zottegem, the only place in Belgium where carnival is celebrated in the first week of January—a winter carnival lasting three days. From Saturday to Tuesday in the early hours, the mayor puts on the fool's cap and the king and queen of the Bommels are in charge. The festival features parades, ceremonial power transfers, themed balls, and the symbolic tradition of "Bommel lopen" (masked parading). [ "Morning parade (Vertrek ochtendstoet at 10u10) on Saturday with floats, giants, carnival orchestras, fanfares, majorettes and thousands of masked revellers", "Symbolic power transfer ceremony (Officiële machtsoverdracht) on Grote Markt at 11u where the mayor hands over city keys to the royal couple", "Evening parade (Bommelsstoet) departing at 18u on Saturday night through city centre streets with full carnival spectacle", "Three-day programme including Bal der Bommelkies (Sunday), Zotte Maandagbal with musical performances (Monday), and Popverbranding/bonfire on Grote Markt at 23u", "Musical fireworks (21u15 Saturday) and apotheosis celebration on Grote Markt at 19u30", "Youth and community elements: children's animation, school visits, beauty pageants ('Verkiezing schoonsten Bommel') and playback performances by the royal couple" ]