Hundreds of emergency vehicles line up to drive sick children through Amsterdam
Hundreds of emergency vehicles will sound their sirens, flash their lights, and honk their horns as they wind their way through Amsterdam on Friday evening for the annual KinderBeestFeest. The convoy of 425 vehicles is organized to bring about 1,000 children with disabilities and chronic illnesses to Artis for a private evening at the zoo.
Current and vintage models of police cars, ambulances, fire trucks, rescue units, military vehicles, Red Cross equipment and several other organizations will parade through the capital from about 5:25 p.m. "Children and their parents will also arrive in boats from the Rescue Brigade," according to a statement from the city of Amsterdam.
"So don't be alarmed if you see this noisy procession driving through Amsterdam on Friday night. There is nothing wrong, but do move aside!" the municipality wrote.
Parking bans were put in place in the Plantagebuurt around the Zoo starting at noon, and running to 11 p.m. From 4 p.m., tram 14 was diverted to Frederiksplein, and all road traffic and cyclists were ordered to detour around the area. Some residents are able to bring their personal vehicles in to park in their own garage spots.
It is the 26th edition of the event, which takes extensive planning to make the event happen. An estimated 1,500 volunteers gave their time over the course of the year, organizers said.
The tradition actually started with the Blijdorp Zoo in Rotterdam in 1996. Artis staffers who attended the event helped usher it into the capital in 2000 working with the AMC Emma Children's Hospital.
Former Artis Director Maarten Frankenhuis met each child at that first event by taking a knee at the entry gate "to welcome each child on equal footing," the city said.
