03:50Huge crowds were seen in the Dutch town of Zundert on Sunday as the iconic annual flower festival, dubbed the 'world's largest', kicked off with a spectacular parade of floats.
Footage shows hundreds cheering as representations of a giant wolf and a hulking robot, as well as surrealist dioramas made from dahlias, made their way through the streets behind a marching band.
According to local reports, an estimated eight million flowers were used at this year's 'Corso Zundert' festival, which saw the participation of 20 floats, some as high as 20 metres (65 feet).
"I just find it very inspiring how everything just works and looks, and it's just amazing. I can't describe it," one participant said.
"We have worked since the end of May, so that's almost three months," added a second. "We work with around 200 people to bring the flowers onto the car to make it (the float) look as it is now."
The 2024 edition of the 'Corso' parade saw the float 'Beet!' claiming first prize from a jury, while 'The Lost Suitcase' won the popular audience vote.
Zundert is also the birthplace of the renowned post-impressionist artist and flower enthusiast Vincent Van Gogh. It has hosted the event since 1936. The festival has been listed under UNESCO's Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention since 2012.
Petal power! Stunning floats roll through Zundert at world’s largest flower festival
Huge crowds were seen in the Dutch town of Zundert on Sunday as the iconic annual flower festival, dubbed the 'world's largest', kicked off with a spectacular parade of floats.
Footage shows hundreds cheering as representations of a giant wolf and a hulking robot, as well as surrealist dioramas made from dahlias, made their way through the streets behind a marching band.
According to local reports, an estimated eight million flowers were used at this year's 'Corso Zundert' festival, which saw the participation of 20 floats, some as high as 20 metres (65 feet).
"I just find it very inspiring how everything just works and looks, and it's just amazing. I can't describe it," one participant said.
"We have worked since the end of May, so that's almost three months," added a second. "We work with around 200 people to bring the flowers onto the car to make it (the float) look as it is now."
The 2024 edition of the 'Corso' parade saw the float 'Beet!' claiming first prize from a jury, while 'The Lost Suitcase' won the popular audience vote.
Zundert is also the birthplace of the renowned post-impressionist artist and flower enthusiast Vincent Van Gogh. It has hosted the event since 1936. The festival has been listed under UNESCO's Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention since 2012.
Huge crowds were seen in the Dutch town of Zundert on Sunday as the iconic annual flower festival, dubbed the 'world's largest', kicked off with a spectacular parade of floats.
Footage shows hundreds cheering as representations of a giant wolf and a hulking robot, as well as surrealist dioramas made from dahlias, made their way through the streets behind a marching band.
According to local reports, an estimated eight million flowers were used at this year's 'Corso Zundert' festival, which saw the participation of 20 floats, some as high as 20 metres (65 feet).
"I just find it very inspiring how everything just works and looks, and it's just amazing. I can't describe it," one participant said.
"We have worked since the end of May, so that's almost three months," added a second. "We work with around 200 people to bring the flowers onto the car to make it (the float) look as it is now."
The 2024 edition of the 'Corso' parade saw the float 'Beet!' claiming first prize from a jury, while 'The Lost Suitcase' won the popular audience vote.
Zundert is also the birthplace of the renowned post-impressionist artist and flower enthusiast Vincent Van Gogh. It has hosted the event since 1936. The festival has been listed under UNESCO's Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention since 2012.