the arrival of Sinterklaas and some more of Utrecht

Saturday was the arrival of Sinterklaas in Utrecht! It marks the beginning of the holiday season here in Holland, and it's really exciting for the small children. But, of course, we had just as much fun as they probably did. Sinterklaas comes on his big boat with zwarte pieten, then docks and rides around on his horse Amerigo.

we weren't sure where we were going, so obviously we followed the woman in the bright red coat...

 bobble head zwarte piet

 the canal where Sinterklaas arrived...

 they had tons of zwarte pieten walking around handing out flags...

 and even the kids dress up like the zwarte pieten!

 the band playing Sinterklaas sons, waiting his arrival...

 they paint themselves black...

 I'm aware of how creepy I am for taking pictures of little kids, but everyone was and she had the best costume! lol

 the crowd wrapped around both sides of the canal and we all sang Sinterklaas songs...

 some of our friends managed to push some kids aside to get a good spot...

 but we were more than happy to sit on the wall :)...

 I really wanted one of those hats, but they seemed to only have them for little kids...

here is a zwarte piet doing aerobatics on fabric attached to a crane over the canal...

 finally Sinterklaas!!!

 the zwarte pieten passed out pepernoten mixed with gummies...

 some zwarte pieten dolls in a shop window...

 and here are a few more pictures of the city...

Getting pumped for the holiday season!
<3 Rachel