Gingers Have More Fun

By: Clayton Truscott
Published: 07 September 2010
Tags: events, bizarre

Red hair has been a talking point since the very first people sprouted scarlet locks. In ancient times gingers were considered a bad omen by some, a sign of good fortune by others. Centuries may have passed, but red hair is still causing a stir in 2010, as displayed at the Roodharigen festival in Breda, Netherlands.

To join the revellers, you have only to meet one requirement: be a natural ginger.

A cunning and tactical move of reverse ginger-ism; more than 5,000 proud people attended the festival of ginger-centric arts, crafts, music and fashion - the largest turnout during it's five year history. To enhance the visual aspect of the occasion, attendees were asked to wear white - to compliment their hair.

The Red Haired Festival's history can be traced back to the Dutch painter, Bart Rouwenhorst, who posted an add for ginger models in 2005. When 150 people showed up for the job, everyone decided to throw a party. One year later people came back for more - and brought friends. Thus the Breda ginger festival was born.

Clayton Truscott

Clayton is a comfortable traveller, having grown up in a small city that was far away from everything. He spent lots of time in the car as a child, driving up and down the coast of South Africa on surfing trips with his family. After studying abroad in the United States and spending a year working in London, he moved to Cape Town, where he completed a Master's Degree in Creative Writing. He now works as a freelance writer for various travel, surfing and action sports publications.