The Sainte-Walburge in Liège will be buzzing with activity for the 50th edition of the Fête des Fous next week, with over 100,000 attendees expected. Organisers have gone all out to celebrate the mid-century milestone.
The festival, which normally starts the first weekend of September, will begin a day earlier this year on Tuesday 27 August. The folkloric festivities spanning six days take place in the hills overlooking Liège and will include street performances, jogging, concerts, torchlight processions and brass bands.
The opening ceremony includes the mayoral sash presentation. Highlights start from Wednesday with the big 'Evening of Laughter', featuring clowns Elastic & Francesca and magician Gianni Henderson. Friday 30 August will see the traditional 'Jogging des Fous', annually attracting over 1,000 runners in Sainte-Walburge.
The main event is on Saturday, featuring a grand folklore parade through the district from 19:30. This will be followed by a torchlight walk, an open-air show, and a large popular dance with the 'Bande à Lolo'. The band 'Les Gauff'' will close the event.
"We will close the festival on Sunday with a concert by 'Les Gauff', who are returning for the 50th edition," stated organiser Julien Raway. This year, the budget was increased to include more activities and artists to enhance the experience.
With attendance now at over 100,000, the Fête des Fous falls just behind the 15 August festivities in Liège as the city's largest neighbourhood event.
