Page 8 - HOH

a7
local Wednesday 26 april 2023

“Downtown Goes Orange” in connection with the celebration of King’s Day

On April 18 during a press where partners work volun- venta”, with homeowners
conference, Mary-Ann Fal- tarily, with a purpose larger in the Weststraat coming
coni, General Manager of than themselves, which together to bring a solution
Impact Hub Aruba, togeth- contributes to the revital- for Weststraat and through
er with Mr. Ivan Diaz, an- ization of downtown Oran- this, stimulate commerce
nounced the event "Down- jestad as a whole. “We are and community through
town Goes Orange which hopeful that not only here, art and experience.
takes place on April 27th but also other areas of
in connection with the cel- Oranjestad can join in the On April 27th, Impact Hub,
ebration of King's Day. initiative. This way we can along with its partners, are
come up with a lasting so- going to hold the event
Falconi explained that lution for this initiative,” she 'Downtown Goes Orange'.
once again, with partners said. This event, Falconi further band Acustica and a new
in the Weststraat shopping explained, is the first in the During the event, there are artist who will be making his
area, they are organizing She remembers when in series of events that will be going to be different kiosk debut at the event.
another event with the pur- November last year, the organizing regularly—ide- stands with handcrafted
pose revitalizing downtown was the “Downtown Food ally each month—so that art, different products, Finally, Falconi and Diaz
Oranjestad. & Art Festival”, which was they can bring sustainable food, and different pop-up have extended an invita-
“Downtown Reinvented,” the first edition of the initia- changes in the Weststraat restaurants to help contrib- tion to the people and
Falconi says, is an initiative tive for “Downtown Rein- area ute to the phenomenal at- visitors of Aruba to pass by
mosphere of King's Day. Weststraat in Down Town
Aruba celebrates King’s Day Ivan Diaz, partner of Im- Oranjestad, starting from
7pm. Entrance is com-
pact Hub Aruba, explained pletely free, as to help with
(Oranjestad)–King Willem-Alexander’s that there are going to be the initiative to revitalize
birthday will be celebrated on April 27th many musical acts as well, the commercial area of
and this means that Thursday is a public like DJ Caleto, the musical Weststraat.q
holiday. There will be festivities all-over
the island: flea markets, restaurant spe-
cials and you may see an abundance of
the color orange, referring to the color of
the Dutch Royal Family, which hails from
the House of Orange.

The colors of the official Dutch flag are of the Netherlands. The couple has three
red, white, and blue. On royal birthdays, daughters: Catharina-Amalia, Princess
the Dutch tricolor is flown with an orange of Orange and first in line to the throne,
pennant above it. Each year on April 27, Princess Alexia of the Netherlands and
Amsterdam — and indeed the entire Princess Ariane of the Netherlands.
country — turns orange and because
Aruba is part of the Dutch Kingdom, we Let’s Celebrate!
celebrate along. Aruba is one of the four There will be numerous sporting events
autonomous countries that make up the and family-friendly celebrations coming
Kingdom of the Netherlands, along with Thursday. Sports competitions, kite flying
Curacao and St. Maarten and of course, contests and fun-filled activities are held
the Netherlands itself. at various sites including community
centers. There will be flea markets and
Willem-Alexander various activities for children during the
King Willem-Alexander is the head of day in the parking lot of the supermar-
state of Aruba and the governor rep- ket Superfood Plaza from 8am to 2pm
resents the monarch in Aruba. Willem- and Musical performances at Café the
Alexander is the son of Princess Beatrix Plaza at Renaissance Marketplace from
and Prince Claus. He was first in the line 12pm to 7pm. The King’s Day Dance and
of succession since his mother’s acces- Trance Party will start at 7pm at Surfside
sion to the throne on April 30, 1980. he Beach Bar.
also bore the title of Prince of Orange.
Willem-Alexander married Argentine- The celebration will continue on the 28th
born Máxima Zorreguieta (thereafter of April with lighted kite flying, starting
Princess Máxima) in Amsterdam. On April from 6pm to 12am at the Pepsi Field in
30, 2013, Beatrix stepped down, and Wil- San Nicolas. Don’t miss these great ac-
lem-Alexander was inaugurated as king tivities and enjoy your orange fest!q