The Harbour Festival has its roots in the traditions of Blankenberge, namely the fishery. The harbour could no longer accommodate the newer and larger fishing vessels, so the fishing fleet was forced to relocate to Zeebrugge. However, the fishing community remained in Blankenberge, and fishing became folklore.
During the festivities, the participating folklore groups are still dressed in the traditional attire of the late 19th century. The fishermen wear blue sailor trousers, a bazeron also known as a jumper, a neckerchief and a fisherman’s cap. The fisherwomen wear a red skirt with an apron, a blouse with a shawl over the shoulders, and the typical white bonnet, known as a puupemutsetje. At the Fishermen’s Arch (De Vissersboog), the entrance to the Harbour Festival, there are several stalls run by various fishing associations, including De Vrye Visscherye, Ebbe en Vloed, de Scutelieden, the folk dance group De Noordzeedansers, the fish fryers form VONA, the fishermen’s brass band De Bremers, and the Sea Scouts.
The iconic bathing cabins are also a symbol of local folklore. These typical Cabines Mobiles, which have been seen on our beaches since before 1850, are placed around the harbour and display details of the festival programme.