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.

Start of the Parade will be at De Naald at 12.00 a.m. The finish of the Parade is expected to be at approximately 1.30 p.m. A large number of music bands both from abroad and from the Netherlands will accompany the Veterans during the Parade. The Veterans will be sitting in open military vehicles while they travel along the Loolaan and Kerklaan. These vehicles are provided by “Keep them Rolling” (KTR). At the ‘Marktplein’ the music bands will leave the Parade and the vehicles with the Veterans will continue on to the ‘Omnisportcentrum’. At this sports centre they will be welcomed during the 1st Liberation Festival.

The following bands will take part in the parade:

1.  The Band of the Royal Artillery with Drill team and Flag Party – Canada
2.  The Regimental Band of the Lincoln & Welland Regiment – Canada
3.  The Colchester Legion Pipes & Drums – Canada
4.  The 33rd Halifax Pipes & Drums – Canada
5.  The Peel Regional Police Precision Drill Team - Canada
6.  OMS Band Foster Hanson – Canada
7.  The volunteer Band of Vancouver – Canada
8.  Ontario/Toronto Fire Service Pipes and Drums – Canada
9.  The Band of the Cadets 48th Highlanders of Canada - Canada
10. The Band of HM Royal Marines Scotland – United Kingdom
11. The Pipes & Drums of the Royal Scots Borderers – United Kingdom
12. The Pipes & Drums of the Royal Air Force Waddington – United Kingdom
13. The Pipes & Drums of the Royal Engineers – United Kingdom
14. The Pipes & Drums of the Royal Artillery – United Kingdom
15. The Pipes and Drums of the Southern Highlanders – United Kingdom
16. Musique des equipages de la flotte Brest – France
17. Trompetterkorps der Koninklijke Marechaussee – Netherlands
18. The Pipes & Drums of the Royal British Legion, Amsterdam Branch – Netherlands
19. The Royal Oman Army Pipes & Drums – Oman
20. The Representative Orchestra of the Pomeranian District – Poland
21. The Steel Band of the Trinidad & Tobago Defence Force – Trinidad & Tobago
22. The Pipes and Drums 48th Highlanders of Holland - Netherlands

From 1.30 to 5.30 p.m. a varied musical program will be offered on various stages in the centre. This musical program will consist of music from the 1940’s up to the present. The tribute / reception / welcoming of the Veterans from 2.30 to 3.30 p.m. constitutes the highlight of the afternoon. The Stichting Bevrijding ’45 expects that the citizens of Apeldoorn and others who are interested will be participating in large numbers; there are 5,000 seats available. 

Artists that will perform at the Liberation Festival

• Canadian Connection
• Glenn Miller Orchestra
• Band of 120 Pipes and Drums
• Vera Lynn Songs by Linda Veenhuizen and Forest Jazz Band
• Andrews Sisters by band “Yes Sister,Jazz Sister”.
• Waylon and band

Veterans, click here.

In general:

Veterans who participate in the Street Parade will depart from the Amersfoortseweg, beside “De Naald”. Companions, who drop off the Veterans here between 10.00 and 11.00 a.m. and accompany them to the military vehicles of KTR, will be able to experience the beginning of the Parade. Thereafter they will be transported to the Omnisportcentrum by bus. (Time and place of departure for Omnisportcentrum to be advised). They will rejoin their Veterans at the Omnisportcentrum. Here, the bus that transported them to Apeldoorn will be waiting.
Veterans who participate in the Street Parade will be seated in a military vehicle of KTR. As a smooth flow in the Parade is required, it will not be allowed to get down and leave the vehicle at any time during the parade.
At the beginning of the Street Parade (arrival of the bus at the Amersfoortseweg) and during the Liberation Festival food and drinks will be provided for the Veterans.
Their companions will be able to experience the Street Parade (no stands) as well as the Liberation Festival (stands – no ticket needed).
From 3.30 to 4.30 p.m. there is a cocktail hour for the Veterans and their companions in the Topsporthal of the Omnisportcentrum.
For more details (in Dutch), click here.