What You Need for a Sinterklaas Parade

A Sinterklaas parade needs more than costumes and sweets. You will need equipment for the route, a reliable way to make announcements, visible safety gear, decorations and a staffed welcome or catering point. Use this shopping list alongside your route and permit plan. Check quantities against the expected attendance, parade length and number of volunteers, then arrange rented items early so tables, barriers and sound equipment are not already booked.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 80
Buffet tablesqty 4
Dressing room tablesqty 2
Coat racksqty 3
Bollardsqty 20
Crowd barriersqty 60

Equipment

Portable sound system
Wireless microphonesqty 3
Speakersqty 4
Mixer
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Battery lampsqty 8
Walkie-talkiesqty 12
Laptopsqty 2
Printer

Decorations

Sinterklaas flagsqty 20
Pieten balloonsqty 100
Balloon archesqty 3
Buntingqty 15
Red-and-white ribbonsqty 10
Welcome signqty 2
Route arrowsqty 30
Glue Stripsqty 4
Cable tiesqty 200
Rope rollsqty 4

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Safety vestsqty 20
Flashlightsqty 8
Traffic signsqty 12
Traffic conesqty 30
Barrier tapeqty 6
Emergency blanketsqty 10
Hand warmersqty 30

Tableware

Reusable drinking glassesqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 150
Cutlery setsqty 150
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 8
Coolersqty 6
Ice cube bagsqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Serving bowlsqty 12
Containers with lidsqty 12
Kitchen tongsqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 4
Cling filmqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Broom setsqty 3
Mop setsqty 3
Cleaning bucketsqty 4
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Toilet brushesqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED floodlightsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 5 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Cocoa powder - 2 packs
- Sugar - 3 packs
- Sweetener - 2 boxes
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Whipped cream - 10 cans
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Grape juice - 6 cartons
- Spa Blauw - 10 trays
- Spa Rood - 5 trays
- Chocolate milk - 6 packs
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Bananas - 6 kilograms
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Mandarins - 8 kilograms
- Cheese mini sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Mini ham sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian mini sandwiches - 60 pieces
- Vegan mini sandwiches - 30 pieces
- Currant buns - 80 pieces
- Butter - 3 packs
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Ham - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cucumber - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Pepernoten - 12 kilograms
- Spiced cookies - 8 kilograms
- Chocolate letters - 150 pieces
- Candy bags - 150 pieces
- Spiced cookies - 8 packs
- Filled speculaas - 6 pieces
- Gluten-free spiced cookies - 3 kilograms
- Vegan pepernoten - 3 kilograms
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Cinnamon - 2 jars
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 200 pieces
- Baking paper - 3 rolls
- Food storage containers - 2 packs
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Sponges - 3 packs
- Rubber gloves - 12 pairs
- Trash bags - 150 pieces
- Compostable cups - 200 pieces
- Compostable snack trays - 200 pieces
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Trailer net - 2 pieces
- AA batteries - 24 pieces
- AAA batteries - 24 pieces
- Tape - 8 rolls
- Highlighters - 2 sets
- Ballpoint pens - 20 pieces
- Copy paper - 2 packs
- Wristbands - 200 pieces
- Name stickers - 200 pieces
- Photo glue - 4 tubes
- Pieten hats - 20 pieces
- Candy bag ribbon - 4 rolls

Tips

Plan one walkie-talkie for each route lead, safety lead and key coordinator, plus at least two spare units. Test every radio before the parade starts and agree on one emergency channel.
Count power points before hiring the sound system. Use extension cords and power strips only where they can be secured safely, and keep battery lamps available for dressing areas and darker route sections.
Use enough crowd barriers and bollards to separate spectators from the parade route at crossings, entrances and narrow sections. Add cable ties or rope rolls so signs, ribbons and route arrows cannot loosen in wind.
Prepare one clearly marked first aid point and make safety vests available to every marshal. Keep the first aid kits accessible rather than packed inside a locked vehicle or storage tent.
Separate items for the welcome area, dressing room and catering point before delivery. Tables, coat racks, badges, wristbands and printed participant lists are often needed before the parade begins, not when the first group arrives.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a Sinterklaas parade?: Plan for route control, announcements, decorations, safety and administration. Typical items include barriers, bollards, a portable sound system, microphones, walkie-talkies, safety vests, first aid kits, route signs, wristbands, tables and lighting.
How many walkie-talkies do I need for a Sinterklaas parade?: Allow one radio for each route lead, safety coordinator and key organiser, with two spare units. For example, a team with six operational roles should prepare about eight walkie-talkies.
How early should I arrange parade equipment?: Reserve rented furniture, barriers and sound equipment as soon as the route and date are confirmed, preferably several weeks before the parade. Check all delivered equipment and test the sound system at least one day in advance.
What safety equipment is needed for a Sinterklaas parade?: Provide first aid kits, safety vests, crowd barriers and bollards, plus lighting for poorly lit areas. Assign the safety equipment before the event and keep the first aid supplies available throughout the full parade.

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