Country’s top floral parade exits at age sixty

AALSMEER - A very popular Dutch floral parade, the bloemencorso Aalsmeer attracted about 110,000 onlookers for its sixtieth and final edition recently. Forty decorated floats and vehicles participated in one of the country’s most extravagant floral displays, appropriately co-sponsored by the city’s massive floral auction. Closing curtain for the bloemencorso came as a result of the auction’s withdrawal as a co-sponsor. Aalsmeer’s leading market position has eroded in recent years, pushing it into a merger with challenger Flora Holland. The latter gained the lead as a result of a number of mergers. Aalsmeer will still celebrate another floral show next year, Blooming on Tour.