Jul

10

Bieler Braderie ‘07

Filed Under Consumer Concerns, Life & Leisure, Special Events, Travel/People & Places 

And so, everybody got out of their cocoons and went downtown for this year’s Braderie, a three-day summer fest (June 29-30/July 1) held in Biel-Bienne every year.

It was basically the same old story — the fun rides, the food stands, the market stalls, the stage concerts, the sidestreet musical entertainment, the artists at work (portrait sketching, spray painting, and hair-braiding), and yes, the huge crowd. All these predictable elements put together in one much-awaited summer event.

The local newspaper later reported that around 130,000 visitors went to the Bieler Braderie this year. (This explains why I had a hard time walking on Nidaugasse, the prominent shopping lane downtown, in my quest for Braderie bargains.)

There was an abundance of merry-making, marked by joyful eating and drinking among friends, at ‘tent-restos’ set up by food sellers. At night, people got drunk and danced the night away as different bands played danceable music on stage.

Bargain shoppers thoroughly enjoyed great buys as they hopped from one market stall to another, meticulously examining the merchandise on display. Clothes, shoes, and accessories were sold at dirt cheap prices (good for the heart). Pants priced at CHF10.00 (USD8.20) apiece, for instance, became an instant hit among Braderie shoppers, especially those who are ‘clothes-deprived’ (that would be me).

Retail therapy advocates got what they wanted when participating stores like Loeb (my favorite department store), Perosa, Schild, and Vogele Shoes offered quality products at half the price in keeping with the summer sale spirit. It was glorious to rummage through dozens of cotton shirts labelled as “1/2 Preis.”

A handful of thrill seekers entertained Braderie visitors by rappeling down from the rooftop of a tall building on Bahnhofstrasse as an excited Swiss commentator hyped up the event on his loud speaker. These risk-takers, who were clearly on super-athletic mode, also did some rock-climbing exercise on the other side of the same building. (Indeed, a select few do pay for this kind of adventure.)

On the whole, the Biel Braderie was a success once again based on visitor statistics. Economically speaking, the event boosted the sales of both established stores and independent market stall sellers. “Many people buy my jewelry products at the Braderie,” said one experienced Filipino stall seller, adding that the high human traffic at the yearly summer fest is always something to look forward to.

And from a social perspective, the Braderie was a great way to unwind with family and friends amid a colorful celebration of summer.

(Note: To view my Bieler Braderie 2006 photos, click here and here.)

*****

FIVE THINGS TO BE HAPPY ABOUT:

1.) Summer festivals
2.) “1/2 Preis” labels
3.) Free concerts
4.) Drinking a cold fruit juice on a hot summer day
5.) Opportunity to experience Bieler Braderie every summer

Comments

8 Responses to “Bieler Braderie ‘07”

  1. ruby on July 11th, 2007 6:24 am

    i attended this travel event in davao once and, as part of the opening ceremony, davao’s adopted daughter, margie moran, had to rapel down from the rooftop to create a dramatic, high-adrenaline effect. but embarrassingly, her ropes got tangled when she had just covered a fourth of the height. it was definitely an unglamorous pose for a miss universe.
    cheers

  2. Jayred on July 11th, 2007 9:33 am

    Ruby, any photos? LOL. That was hilarious. Have a happy trip to the UK and Scotland! Talk to you later.

  3. Sining on July 11th, 2007 11:19 am

    Thanks for sharing your experience of the Braderie. I should try to join it with my family next year.:)

  4. Jayred on July 11th, 2007 3:02 pm

    Sining, you’re welcome. Try to visit Biel during the Braderie, yes. Your baby boy will be one by then.

  5. bing on July 12th, 2007 1:18 am

    looking at those pics with the bargain buys, it would really make me want to go out of my cocoon. in the Philippines, such events would cause heavy traffic and you wouldnt want anymore to get out of your cocoon. :-)

  6. Jayred on July 12th, 2007 9:57 pm

    Bing, that’s so true! I remember the horrendous traffic jams caused by midnight madness sales in Metro Manila. For some reason, I miss them!

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  8. Pinoy Booth on June 25th, 2008 2:31 pm

    [...] Once again, the Swiss town of Biel-Bienne will hold its yearly three-day summer festival dubbed “Bieler Braderie” (view my 2007 Bieler Braderie slideshow here). [...]

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