The open Sunday "Bocholt Blüht" was once again a complete success

Starting with a very high number of registrations for the classic car meeting in advance (175 registered vehicles), the meeting of old vehicles at "Bocholt Blüht" in Bocholt in the city centre developed into a great gathering of classic cars! Around 300 vehicles were parked on the squares and in the streets of the city centre - similar to the last three years. "The weather was excellent just in time for the weekend of the event and the event is now well established in the classic car scene. A really great atmosphere in the city centre," says Ludger Dieckhues from City Marketing.

The many vehicles, all of which are more than 25 years old, could be admired in warm temperatures and glorious sunshine in the Liebfrauenviertel, at the market or St.-Georg-Platz, on Neutorplatz, at the Ostermarkt, on Crispinusplatz, in various streets and at the shopping centres - and the city visitors were already very, very numerous from 12 noon. By 2 p.m. there were already no parking spaces in Bocholt, neither for visitors nor for classic cars. "We really freed up every square metre in the city centre for the classic cars to accommodate everyone," explains Ludger Dieckhues. "The people from the Grenzland Classic classic car club and the THW youth helped brilliantly - but if anyone really didn't get a stand, then we're really very sorry, but more simply didn't fit in the city centre!

Motorcade through the city centre

At 3 p.m., a motorcade led by Dieter Niemann from Grenzland Classic set off from St.-Georg-Platz and Liebfrauenplatz to drive over the ramp in front of the historic town hall, where it was introduced to the interested public by expert presenter Georg Meyering. "We are delighted that so many classic cars found their way into the city centre of Bocholt. It was once again a successful and very nice event", said Niemann.

Vintage fire engines and tractors in the new town

The Barlo tractor club and the Bocholt fire brigade provided the attractions in the south of the city centre: the interest group for the preservation of historical fire service technology in the Bocholt city fire brigade association set up the turntable ladder truck "Emma" and several other old emergency vehicles on Neutor-Platz. The Barlo tractor club set up numerous exhibits in front of the shopping arcades and a small tractor course was great fun for the young visitors. "Nice tractors and lots going on - both here in the shopping arcades and in the city centre!" Heiko Wagner, centre manager of the arcades, was delighted.

Award ceremony

At 4 p.m., the drivers with the longest journey and the oldest car as well as the most original driver and car duo were honoured. Angelika Baumgarten and her 1985 2 CV from Hagen won the trophy for the longest journey. Antoon van Londen received the trophy for the oldest car, a 1931 Ford A Victoria, and Hans-Georg Möllmann and his "Ente" (2 CV, 1989) won the prize for the most original duo.

Sunday open for business

The city buses were very busy, as were the bicycle stands. People thronged through the city centre streets and shopping centres, as the afternoon attracted people to look at classic cars, stroll around, visit cafés, meet people and also go shopping: the shops were open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. to coincide with the classic car meeting. Ice cream parlours and cafés were full throughout. The ladies were often seen in the shops and the men in the classic cars: "This is how it should be - event and shopping complement each other, and with old cars it is of course a perfect match for the men in terms of interests," says Mechtild Hoffs from ISG Altstadt. "But the men are also happy to be served and advised in the shops!

All in all, a great spring Sunday for the whole family!