Sint-Niklaas (Eurotoday) – For the first time in over a year, the Grote Markt in the town of Sint-Niklaas will once again host an event. Since May of last year, the square has been undergoing a major redesign. While construction is still underway, the city has decided to open part of the square to accommodate the annual Meikermis fair.
The decision marks a temporary pause in a long-term renovation plan aimed at modernising the historic city centre. Despite the work continuing around them, fair organisers and visitors were granted access to a section of the square for the duration of the popular May fair.
Alderman for Events Ghizlane Benabdellah (Vooruit) acknowledged the complexities involved in hosting the fair amid ongoing construction. She expressed appreciation for the flexibility and cooperation of the workers involved, stating, as reported by VRT:
“These are not easy circumstances, but thanks to the workers, we were able to give the fair a place here.”
In a heartwarming gesture, fairground vendors thanked construction crews with offerings of fries and doughnuts.
“It’s always nice to see that others are grateful for the work we do,”
said site manager Bram Peeters, who further added:
“We do have some experience working in busier areas, but it’s still special to be working here. In any case, we were really looking forward to this delicious meal.”
Fairground stallholders also expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to participate, despite the ongoing renovation works.
“We are happy that we can be here at all, and we hear that most fairground stallholders can earn a living here. In six weeks, there will be another summer fair. Hopefully, the work will have progressed even more by then,”
said Mario Hafki, a fairground operator.
He noted that the construction around the square hasn’t deterred visitors from attending:
“We started on May 1, and that caused a massive turnout because of the holiday. The weekdays are a bit less, but we would rather operate at 80% than not earn anything at all.”
Why was an exception made for the Meikermis amid construction?
The Grote Markt has been undergoing significant renovations since May 2023 as part of an urban renewal initiative by the Sint-Niklaas city council. The redesign aims to modernise the public space while preserving its heritage value, which has temporarily limited public events.
The decision to allow the May fair to proceed was reached after active discussions between city officials, construction crews, and the fairground organisers. Alderman Benabdellah stressed the cultural and economic importance of the Meikermis, which draws thousands of visitors and supports local businesses.
To accommodate the fair without compromising safety, construction teams adapted their schedules and cleared designated areas for the rides and food stalls. The initiative demonstrates the city’s commitment to balancing urban development with community tradition.
Comments
14 responses to “Grote Markt in Sint-Niklaas Opens for Meikermis Festival”
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Oh great, nothing like dodging half-finished construction to enjoy some lukewarm fries at the Meikermis! 🍟 Who needs a fully renovated square when you can have the thrill of a dodgy ride with a side of dust? 😂
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Oh, brilliant! Nothing says “let’s celebrate” quite like dodging construction debris while munching on fries. Who knew safety hazards could be part of the fair experience? 🍟🚧
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Aye, nothing says “we’re modernizing” quite like hosting a fair in a construction zone—who doesn’t love dodging cranes for a decent fry? 🍟 It’s like a Belgian version of “Survivor,” where the last one standing wins a doughnut! 😂
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Oh, look at that, Sint-Niklaas is trying to modernise while hosting a fair on a construction site—how very avant-garde! 🎡 Nothing says “family fun” quite like dodging falling bricks while munching on fries, right? 🍟😄
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Isn’t it just grand that we can enjoy fries and doughnuts while dodging construction debris? Nothing like a bit of chaos to add spice to your May fair, eh? 🍟🎡
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Oh, splendid! Nothing screams “urban renewal” like trying to juggle ferris wheels and concrete mixers at the same time. I suppose a side of fries makes a fine compliment to a bit of dust, eh? 🍟😄
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Oh, marvellous! Nothing says “heritage preservation” quite like an amusement fair in the midst of a construction zone. Who needs a picturesque town square when you can dodge scaffolding while munching on fries and dodging the odd flying doughnut? 🍩🎢
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Oh, brilliant! Nothing says “celebrate our cultural heritage” quite like dodging construction debris while munching on fries at a fair. Can’t wait for the next installment of “Meikermis: The Obstacle Course Edition!” 😂🍟
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Oh, brilliant, nothing says “modernisation” quite like hosting a fair amidst a construction site—who needs safety when you’ve got dodgy rides and fries? 🎢🍟 Just think of it as an extreme sport for the thrill-seeking locals! 😅
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Finally, a fair in a construction zone—because nothing says “family fun” like dodging bulldozers and hard hats! 🎪 Who needs a fully finished square when you can enjoy a side of fries while wondering if today’s the day a crane decides to join the festivities? 🍟😅
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Oh, brilliant! Nothing like a bit of construction chaos to spice up the Meikermis fair—who needs a proper square when you’ve got half-finished pavements and a side of fries? 🍟 Just another day in Sint-Niklaas, eh? 🤷♂️
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Oh, splendid! Nothing says “historic charm” like a fairground nestled between construction cranes and dust clouds. 🍟🎡 Who knew fries and doughnuts could be the secret sauce to urban renewal?
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Oh, brilliant! Just what we need—an open fair amidst a construction site. Who doesn’t love dodging bulldozers while trying to enjoy their fries? 🍟🎢 Classic Sint-Niklaas multitasking at its finest! 😂
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Looks like Sint-Niklaas is giving “construction chic” a whole new meaning with their Meikermis festival! Who knew dodging hard hats could be the new trend in fair-going? 🤔🎡
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