The event started out with a beautiful and sumptuous buffet that included the traditional Dutch 'kroketten', handmade and deep-fried on the spot by Chef Marcus van Winden and his wife Nicole (thank you guys, they were the best-ever!).
After lunch, Sinterklaas and two Zwarte Pieten made a spectacular entry: they rode in on a tandem bike! 
The audience was roaring with laughter! Then unfortunately Sinterklaas' robe got stuck in the bike's rear brake which rather complicated his dignified descend from the bike. But thanks to Jessica he was quickly freed from the trap and made his way to the stately Big Chair.
We were all amazed about how much Sinterklaas still remembered about everyone! Especially the small children were deeply impressed by his presence and wise words. Sint and his Pieten handed everyone a present and a delicious Chocolate Letter!
The Pietermannen carried burlap bags with pepernoten and other strooigoed, 'taai-taai' (don't think 'tough-tough' is the correct translation, although it seems pretty accurate...), gevulde speculaas, banketstaaf and other typical Dutch Sinterklaas treats.
Sint also brought a basket with typical Dutch Sinterklaas goodies (beautifully wrapped by Els de Kok) and a delicious 'Spekkoek' (made by Margie Bowman) (-- thank you ladies!) for the Sinterklaas-raffle. Sinterklaas himself drew the winning ticket and so the basket and spekkoek went to Marlies Zandbergen - congratulations Marlies!
Sint departed while several typical Sinterklaas songs were sung by the enthusiastic crowd. Sint is now on his way to The Netherlands for his final appearance this year on December the 5th.
Many guests stayed a while as they enjoyed some more food, drinks and each others company. Then as the sun set it was finally time to go home.
This is a Sinterklaas party that will be remembered for a long time!
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A big "Thank You" to Jessica van der Lede (who chaired this year's Sinterklaas Committee) and the Sinterklaas Committee members, who worked tirelessly to make Sinterklaas a huge success!
We also want to thank Wilma and Charles, who put a lot of effort into this by making their wonderfully-decorated home available for the Sinterklaas party! Sinterklaas handed them a beautiful wooden clock, hand-crafted by Margie's husband as a token of his appreciation!
