Paul Stevens
Paul is an all-round carnival enthusiast and certainly does not sit still during these days. As a volunteer, he is organizing the Venlose Boerebroélof with many others this year.
The carnival virus really started in 1974 at Café 't Hert in Blerick. There he met his future wife Mieke Stevens to the sounds of the song ‘Joetse Jatse’ by Hannelore. This song has remained one of their favorite songs to this day. This is how the love for the Venlo carnival began.
In the 70s and 80s, Paul walked with a group of about 30 friends in the big parade in Blerick. They called themselves De Gniffelaerkes, participated for 11 years, and even won prizes. The 'pekskes' were, of course, homemade, and the little children were taken along in a wagon, because 'young learned is old done'.
Paul was born in Baarlo and lived there with his family for a long time. Paul was asked by the Carnival Association De Kook to become Prince Paul the 1st in Baarlo in the year 2000. This was a wonderful experience because it could be celebrated with the entire family. Son Ben followed in Dad's footsteps in 2002 when he became the youth prince in Baarlo. Since 2000, Paul has been a member of the Aod Prinse Club Baolder and has been the chairman of this beautiful society for 12 years now. For Paul, carnival means: Togetherness, coziness, "fun and pleasure", enjoying carnival music, and going out in beautiful costumes with friends and family!
In 2020, Jocus granted the Venlo Farmer's Wedding to the Zomerparkfeest, where Paul has been a volunteer for 12 years. Together with his wife and daughter, they are part of the Klein Gezelschap and can finally lead the Venlo Farmer's Wedding. In the coming weeks, about 30 performances are planned at all care homes and carnival societies in Venlo. What is especially beautiful about this company is “The togetherness, the atmosphere, and the beautiful bond with all the people you have built up over 3 years. That makes it so special and unique and it is a real enrichment of my life”. The Farmer's Wedding will finally take place on Tuesday, February 21, in the city center. The entire company consists of about 90 people - Klein and Groot Gezelschap and Farmer family - and looks amazing in their "farmer's attire". Let the party begin now “We are completely ready for it!”