Revisiting the past with the Beet Tour
A brief step back in time, to when sugar beets were still transported to the sugar factories by flat-bottom boat…. the Beet Tour recaptures the past! This year’s event was particularly special in that both the start and finish took place in the municipality of Steenbergen as part of the 750th anniversary of Steenbergen. Cosun Beet Company is the main sponsor of both the Beet Tour and anniversary celebration.
Historic ships
For several decades, the Stichting De Zeeuwse Beurtvaart foundation has been organising the Beet Tour, a four-day sailing event that is held annually. During the sailing tour, a fleet of around 25 flat-bottom boats carrying a symbolic quantity of sugar beets on board sails through the waters of Zealand and West-Brabant. The event was created to bring to life the history of freight transport by sailing ship across the waters of Zeeland. Sailing competitions are held, but the crews of the ships also get creative with the sugar beets themselves.
Start in Steenbergen
The fleet of historic ships arrived at the harbour in Steenbergen on Sunday 23 October. The arrival itself is quite unique, as the boats are ‘towed’ by horses from the Steenbergse Vliet. It is a spectacle that attracts crowds of onlookers. On Monday morning, the fleet departed in the early morning hours for Zeeland, where the ships stop at various harbours.
Arrival in Dinteloord
This year, the Beet Tour ended near the Cosun Beet Company factory. On the afternoon of Thursday 27 October, the ships sailed into the Jachthaven Waterkant marina in Dinteloord. Fun games were organised for the kids, the Gouds Getij Shanty Choir performed and visitors could tour the Terra Nova museum boat. The event concluded in the evening with the traditional Beet Inspection, which was won by the ‘Vrouwe Cornelia’ and with their beautiful creation. Watch our vlog for an impression of the final day of the Beet Tour.