**HEEZE** - The 65th Brabantsedag was crowned with a golden touch. The largest theater parade of the year lived up to its reputation with a high standard and over 40,000 visitors.
On and around the sixteen towering, rolling theater sets, the typical Brabant feeling, along with poets and poems from the Duchy of Brabant, came to life under the theme "Closer to Brabant." For more than two hours, the well over 40,000 visitors enjoyed colorful theater, humor, acting, and ingenious technology. Before and after the parade, there was plenty of music, street theater, and other entertainment at the Heeze Atmosphere Squares.
The thrilling award ceremony produced the following results:
The winner of the HWV Audience Award (made possible by the Heezer Retailers Association) was **Vriendenkring Hopeloos** with *In de 14 Billekens,* inspired by a poem by Lodewijk van Woensel from 1939.
Second place in the audience category went to **Vriendenkring De Rooie Hoek** with *Driven Away from Brabant: "My Dearest Land,"* inspired by a poem by Ivo van Dinther from 1953.
The third audience spot was claimed by **Bloed, Zweet & Tranen** with *Duke John I Brings Life to the Brewery,* inspired by a poem by Harrie Beex from 1947.
The winner of the Press Award was **De Lambrekvrienden** with *Carved from the Right Brabant Wood,* inspired by a poem by Piet Heerkens from 1941.
The winner of the Omroep Brabant Viewers’ Award was **Vriendenkring De Rooie Hoek** with *Driven Away from Brabant: "My Dearest Land."*
This is the top three of the overall ranking:
1. The overall winner is **Vriendenkring Hopeloos** with *In de 14 Billekens.*
2. In second place: **Vriendenkring Schenkels** with *Flood of Brotherhood,* inspired by a poem by Harrie Kapteijns from 1957.
3. **Vriendenkring Haisjô** took third place with *Carried by Hands – Marian Chapels,* inspired by a poem by Anna Bijns from 1493-1575.
The full results of the 65th Brabantsedag can be found at brabantsedag.nl/uitslag.
